As everyone who follows (or HAS followed) this blog knows that I am a die-hard New York Yankees fan – which means I hate the Boston Red Sox with a passion.
However, I have begrudgingly showed some respect to some Red Sox icons. Ted Williams. Carl Yastrzemski. Pedro Martinez. Nomar Garciaparra. Dustin Pedroia. Manny Ramirez.
Now it’s time to add another name to that group: David Ortiz.
Ortiz has evolved into the undisputed leader of the Red Sox clubhouse over the last few seasons, and arguably one of the greatest leaders in Red Sox history. He is also the face of Boston sports.
Remember this bone-chilling speech he gave right after the Boston Marathon bombings?
Now here is the burning question: is David Ortiz a Hall of Famer? Well, I believe his stats warrant Hall of Fame consideration.
Let us count the ways:
- .286 batting average
- 2,472 hits
- 541 home runs
- 1,768 RBIs
- 10× All-Star (2004–2008, 2010–2013, 2016)
- 3× World Series champion (2004, 2007,2013)
- World Series MVP (2013)
- ALCS MVP (2004)
- AL Hank Aaron Award (2005)
- 6× Silver Slugger Award (2004–2007, 2011, 2013)
If Ortiz is inducted into the Hall of Fame, the folks in Cooperstown need to do the following first. They need to admit Roger Clemens, Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, and the insufferable Alex Rodriguez.
I have long believed that PEDs do not help with putting the bat on the baseball. They do not help with pitchers’ ball placement. Either those players have that ability, or they do not.
I’d also argue that those players were great before their alleged PED use. If you don’t believe me, go to YouTube for some highlights.
So why mention those performance enhancing drug abusers and David Ortiz in the same rant?
Because Ortiz was also an alleged steroid user. Check it out for yourselves.
Look, I believe that Ortiz is a Hall of Famer. No doubt. I’d even go as far as saying he should be first-ballot.
Just as long as the voters give Clemens, Bonds, McGwire – and A-Roid – their rightful spots in Cooperstown FIRST…
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