Big Papi

[kibblesnbits]

Hilarious. They haven't caught Trumbo either. It's pretty simple but you guys continue to look the other day - first guy ever to perform like this at 40 and the first guy in the 500 HR club to hit 97% of his MR's after the age of 26 - Hmmmmmm if you don't get that you're just naive Hawk, great Husky fan, love you for sure but this is just unfounded how you treat the obvious. Hell ARod never tested positive either I should stick by him too huh? LOL

If you knew anything about Ortiz history in Minnesota you'd know he had two broken wrists during his time with the Twins. Even so, he managed to hit 38 HR in just over 700 at bats during his last two seasons (his age 25 and 26 seasons) or roughly a 30 HR pace for a full-time player.

The problem in Minnesota was that he wasn't a full-time player. Tom Kelly wanted him to be more of a line drive hitter rather than a go for the fences slugger. Between injuries, lack of a position, and his manager's dislike for his approach, he never became a true regular in Minnesota.

He wasn't even a regular when he first got to Boston. He was splitting Dan Hurley time with the immortal Jeremy Giambi and playing occasional 1B while only hitting about .200 through his first month plus. Once Giambi (who was hitting even worse) was out of the way and Ortiz became the everyday Dan Hurley for the last 2/3 of the season he just took off and never looked back.

 

[UConn990411]

If you knew anything about Ortiz history in Minnesota you'd know he had two broken wrists during his time with the Twins. Even so, he managed to hit 38 HR in just over 700 at bats during his last two seasons (his age 25 and 26 seasons) or roughly a 30 HR pace for a full-time player.

The problem in Minnesota was that he wasn't a full-time player. Tom Kelly wanted him to be more of a line drive hitter rather than a go for the fences slugger. Between injuries, lack of a position, and his manager's dislike for his approach, he never became a true regular in Minnesota.

He wasn't even a regular when he first got to Boston. He was splitting Dan Hurley time with the immortal Jeremy Giambi and playing occasional FB while only hitting about .200 through his first month plus. Once Giambi (who was hitting even worse) was out of the way and Ortiz became the everyday Dan Hurley for the second 2/3 of the season he just took off and never looked back.

Shhhh we don't want facts here.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Hilarious. They haven't caught Trumbo either. It's pretty simple but you guys continue to look the other day - first guy ever to perform like this at 40 and the first guy in the 500 HR club to hit 97% of his MR's after the age of 26 - Hmmmmmm if you don't get that you're just naive Hawk, great Husky fan, love you for sure but this is just unfounded how you treat the obvious. Hell ARod never tested positive either I should stick by him too huh? LOL

I'm not fond of accusing people without more than circumstantial evidence. I also don't think steroids have enough of an impact to account for his average and clutch hitting. I'd also wager that modern fitness, nutrition etc. will drive longevity up. I'm 50 and I know what 50 years old looked like even 30 years ago, they looked like 70 year olds do now. It's not a Sox thing for me, I'd give anyone the same benefit of the doubt.

I still remember Fred Lynn suddenly hitting way more HR. They asked him what he did, said he discovered something called "Nautilus". I remember listening to the interview, thinking Nautilus, what the hell is that? Ortiz lost a lot of weight about 3-4 years ago and hired a dietitian or something. Maybe he talked to Brady, I don't know, but he's more fit now than he was at 35. That doesn't mean steroids, just a higher level of effort and attention to detail.

 

[kibblesnbits]

Ortiz twice hit over 30 HR in the minors. With the shorter seasons and promotions that is pretty rare. Mau has always tried to pass off this perspective that Ortiz wasn't viewed as a power hitter until he got to Boston. Well, that's complete BS. We can argue that he's a limited player because of his size, lack of speed and defensive issues, but he was always able to hit and hit for power. That's why George Steinbrenner wanted his guys to sign him in 2003 and they've regretted not doing so ever since.

As for the HoF, Dan Hurley is a legitimate position. It's no less worthy of consideration than closers, who generally pitch 20 or fewer pitches per game and never see the same hitter twice.

 

[intlzncster]

If you knew anything about Ortiz history in Minnesota you'd know he had two broken wrists during his time with the Twins. Even so, he managed to hit 38 HR in just over 700 at bats during his last two seasons (his age 25 and 26 seasons) or roughly a 30 HR pace for a full-time player.

The problem in Minnesota was that he wasn't a full-time player. Tom Kelly wanted him to be more of a line drive hitter rather than a go for the fences slugger. Between injuries, lack of a position, and his manager's dislike for his approach, he never became a true regular in Minnesota.

You are also forgetting knee issues requiring arthroscopic surgery during the year (2002). Cost him half a season of good production.

As I mentioned before, when he was healthy, and given consistent playtime time, he raked. At every level.

 

[Huskybass]

Expecting Mau to be objective on something baseball related is simply too much to ask. Sit back and enjoy the lunacy like the rest of us.

 

[mauconnfan]

Expecting Mau to be objective on something baseball related is simply too much to ask. Sit back and enjoy the lunacy like the rest of us.

LOL....a Sox fan talking about being objective is freaking hilarious.