By Sam Rosenblatt
Baseball season is rapidly approaching as Red Sox pitchers and catchers reported last week. There is much to be excited about for the 2014 Boston Red Sox as they look to defend their World Series title. But there is one piece of unfinished business for general manager Ben Cherington. He must extend David Ortiz’s contract through 2016.
Ortiz, 38 years old, has been written off year after year as baseball analysts anticipate his demise. Yet last year he had an impressive regular season, and he put on one of the greatest postseason performances in history last October. This is the final year on Ortiz’s contract, but spending the extra money on the aging slugger is worth it.
Boston loves its “Big Papi.” He has been the one constant in the Red Sox lineup over the years, and he is the only player left from the 2004 team that ended the franchise’s 86 year title drought. He is a fan favorite. He finished third in the Boston Mayoral race without even running, and Ortiz is likely the only person who can curse on live television and not only get away with it, but be praised for it!
David Ortiz is also clutch. His grand slam in game two of the ALCS saved the season, giving the Red Sox the momentum they needed to knock off the Tigers and cruise into the World Series. He batted .688 in the World Series and was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP). As if this postseason wasn’t enough to cement his legacy, he also played a crucial role on the championship teams of 2004 and 2007.
Obviously, Ortiz’s past does not dictate how he will perform this year. He may have a dreadful season or succumb to injury. Don’t forget he missed the first few weeks of the season last year, as well as all of spring training. This, however, will not be Big Papi’s last year in Major League Baseball. If we do not extend his contract, some other team will steal him away.
Ortiz does not want to leave Boston, but if there are no other options, the Yankees always have an open checkbook. Would it not be awful to see Ortiz as a Yankee? Its bad enough that great players such as Clemens, Tiant, Boggs, Damon, Youkilis, Ellsbury and even Babe Ruth crossed over to “the dark side.”
Imagine seeing #34 in pinstripes. Scary, isn’t it? Yet it is possible. It’s sad for Boston sports fans to see our former heroes such as Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett playing for the Nets and Wes Welker catching balls from Manning instead of Brady.
But David Ortiz will retire as a Red Sox, because Cherington has to re-sign him. Even though he has reached this age, there is too much to lose if Big Papi plays for another team in 2015. Not only would Cherington lose the face of the franchise, he would lose the respect and support of Red Sox nation.
Ortiz may not play a huge role in the upcoming seasons. He may not hit above .300 again. He will be a legend regardless of what team he retires with, but it certainly helps his case to end with the franchise that took him in and enabled him to become a superstar. Ben Cherington must extend Ortiz’s contract, because this is his bleeping city.
Keep Big Papi around, and soon enough, a #34 plaque will be hanging on the right field facade with the company of fellow legends like Yastrzemski and Williams who came before him.
