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David Ortiz isn’t going away quietly
Sunday’s Say Hey includes David Ortiz doing incredible things at age 40, Michael Brantley hitting the DL yet again, and the Cardinals getting another out-of-nowhere performance.
Maddie Meyer/Getty Images
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As I’m sure you’ve heard by now, David Ortiz is retiring at the end of the year. This isn’t a Derek Jeter-level retirement tour, but it’s certainly big news as one of the most famous players in the game is leaving for good. Unlike most retirement tours, however, Ortiz is still at the top of the game. In fact, the start of his 2016 campaign has been as impressive as he’s ever looked. He continued his torrid start on Saturday with a couple of now-to-be-expected clutch hits. After tying the game in the bottom of the ninth with his first triple since June of 2013, he won the game in the 11th on a double. Apparently, the Red Sox are starting to run out of celebrations for big hits off Ortiz’s bat, as they decided to douse him in flour at second base. To continue his killer day, he was able to give an outstanding quote even without being able to hold a formal media session.
The game-winning double was significant even beyond the scope of that game, too. It was Ortiz’s 600th career double, making him the 15th player to reach that milestone. He also joined Barry Bonds and Hank Aaron — pretty decent company — as the only players with 600 doubles and 500 home runs in one career. This won’t be the last milestone Ortiz hits, as he’ll be jumping up leaderboards all season long. In fact, he hit a home run early in Saturday’s game that gave him sole possession of 22nd place on the all-time home run list. There’s a realistic chance that he’ll end his career all by himself in 17th place, passing Mickey Mantle.
Ortiz will always be remembered for his clutch hitting, however, and his big hits on Saturday were just another reminder of his greatest quality. It certainly wasn’t the biggest hit of his career, but it was the biggest of what is beginning to feel like a truly special final season. There are so many varying opinions on Ortiz with a variety of different reasonings, but there’s no denying who he has been, and continues to be, as a hitter. Eventually, the Red Sox will honor him, and one hopes they do so in a fitting fashion.
- The Indians are planning on staying in the race for the AL Central all year, but they just lost Michael Brantley for the second time in 2016.
- Arguably their biggest challenger in the division, the White Sox, have yet another good young starter in Carlos Rodon. However, he may be better served with a personal catcher who can steal him a strike or twelve.
- Once upon a time, Miguel Cabrera was a Marlin and one of the best young players in the league. Now, Giancarlo Stanton holds that honor. Which one was better at that stage of their respective careers, though?
- Jose Reyes’ suspension was announced earlier in the weekend, and it sure seems like the league played it safe.
- Twenty years ago Doc Gooden threw one of the most improbable and memorable no-hitters in baseball history.
- Mike Rizzo is staying in the Nationals’ front office for a few more years, which is bad news for the rest of the National League.
- Here’s a shocker: The Cardinals are getting an out-of-nowhere performance. This time it’s Aledmys Diaz, and his production may be somewhat sustainable. Glad things are working out for St. Louis fans for once.
- The Phillies called up Tommy Joseph the other day. That may not mean much to you, but he’s been through a lot in his journey to the majors and it’s a great story even if he never sticks at the highest level.
- Perhaps we were all a little too high on the NL West before the season started.
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