David Ortiz spent 13 years playing baseball as a part of the Boston Red Sox. With that, some special moments have occurred. What are some memories he created that will always have a special place in our hearts?
Honorable Mentions
“Sippin on Dunkin Iced Coffee”
https://youtu.be/pV7-cwgRjL0
Death to a Dugout Phone
10. Walk-off against the Angels in the 2004 ALDS
With the bout tied at six runs each, on the first pitch Ortiz saw in the 10th, he crushed a slider to the opposite field to win the game 8-6 and send Boston to the ALCS, where their bitter rivals, the New York Yankees.
9. First Red Sox walk-off hit
Pinch hitting in place of Damian Jackson in the ninth with runners at first and second, and two outs, Ortiz started a legacy that he would soon become synonymous with. The good ‘ole walk-off. This was the first time he accomplished that feat in a Red Sox uniform (and not the last) and it came via a deep fly ball single to center field, which knocked in the winning run from second base.
8. First of many clutch home runs
After being handed a bat in the 14th inning of a game against the Los Angeles Angels in April of 2003, he would end up mashing the go-ahead, and his first home run in a Red Sox uniform. He was then named the full-time designated hitter prior to to the All-Star break.
7. Game-tying grand salami vs. Detroit Tigers
This is probably one of the most paused moments in baseball history, and with great reason. Down 5-1 in the second game of the 2013 ALCS against the Detroit Tigers, Ortiz, with the bases loaded, crushed a ball into the home bullpen and cleared the bases with a game-tying grand slam.
6. Setting the Red Sox single-season home run record
With his 51st homer of the 2006 campaign, Big Papi set the Red Sox franchise record for most in a season, beating out Jimmie Fox who had 50. Ortiz promptly went on to hit 54 bombs that year.
5. Home run in final Opening Day
You just KNEW @davidortiz wouldn’t leave his last #OpeningDay game quietly: https://t.co/v5Xp0IhSGV pic.twitter.com/Vu19OkzbJu
— MLB (@MLB) April 5, 2016
Facing Trevor Bauer, in what would be Ortiz’s final Opening Day, he crushed his fifth career Opening Day home run.
4. Walk-off in Game 5 of the 2004 ALCS
In the 14th inning of Game 5 of the ALCS, down 3-1 in the series, Ortiz shifted all the momentum in favor of Boston with a game winning walk-off to force a Game 6 in New York aginst the Bronx Bombers.
3. Walk-off in Game 4 of the 2004 ALCS
Down 3-0, and elimination looming, Ortiz ripped a two-run walk-off bomb to right field to force a fifth game and change the dynamic of the entire playoffs.
2. Joining the 500 home run club
On the night of Sep. 12, 2015, in Saint Petersburg, Florida, Ortiz became the 27th individual to join the illustrious “500 Club.” He would finalize his amazing career with a total of 541 dingers.
Number 1. “This is our F*cking City”
This one speaks for itself.
