#PapiMoment - Honorable Mentions

Brian Hines
Contributing Writer

In this edition of the #PapiMoment series, we will be looking at a number of David Ortiz moments that were not mentioned in previous articles.

13 Years Ago Today

October 5th, 2003 the Red Sox were at home to take on the Oakland Athletics. After falling down in the ALDS 2-0 and staving off elimination in the eleventh inning of Game 3. In Game 4 the Red Sox found themselves in trouble again, trailing 4-3 in the bottom of the eighth.

The Red Sox were threatening with Nomar Garciaparra on 3rd and Manny Ramirez on 1st. With 2 outs, up came a struggling David Ortiz to the plate. Ortiz took Keith Foulke's sixth pitch of the at bat opposite field off the monster. He platted both runners and gave the Red Sox a 5-4 lead.

Photo Courtesy of Warren/AP
The Sox went on the win the game 5-4 and tie the series at 2 games apiece. They went on the win Game 5 in Oakland and win the series 3-2.

The Home Run Derby

David Ortiz was the oldest contestant in the 2010 Home Run Derby, but that didn't stop him from winning. Ortiz was 35 years old which was eight years older than any other finals contestants.

Ortiz went on that night to hit 32 home runs with a long of 478 feet. He hammered 11 home runs in the final round while out slugging Hanley Ramirez to take the trophy.

The Fight

Just hours after Ortiz clubbed a three-run homer against the Orioles, he received three straight inside fastballs. Ortiz slowly walked toward the mound but was restrained by the home plate umpire as the benches cleared. The umpires delivered warnings and cleared the chaos.

The next pitch, Ortiz popped up an inside, 3-0 fastball. Orioles pitcher, Kevin Gregg, told Ortiz to run towards first base, so Ortiz ran at him instead. The players pushed and shoved but missed on their punches, including a huge uppercut from Ortiz.


Roberto Clemente Award

October 20, 2011 David Ortiz took home the Roberto Clemente Award for his contribution on and off the field. The David Ortiz Children's Fund was founded in 2005 and raises funds and provides heart surgeries for children with pediatric care. The fund helps children in both the Dominican Republic and the U.S.

The fund raised more than $1.5 million while Ortiz donated $100,000 of his own money. Commissioner Bud Selig said the following of Ortiz:
"David's remarkable commitment to helping children receive essential pediatric care in the United States and the Dominican Republic makes him a wonderful choice for this honor. The legacy of the great Roberto Clemente lives on through the selfless actions of players like David and so many of his peers."
Ortiz also hosts yearly celebrity golf tournaments and donates Red Sox tickets to patentees of Mass General Hospital for Children.

Number 500

After hitting career home run number 499 in the first inning of a Red Sox vs Rays game, Ortiz took Matt Moore deep again in the sixth inning for career home run number 500.

Ortiz was the 27th player in league history, fourth in Red Sox history and the fourth Dominican Republic native to reach 500 career home runs. Manny Ramirez, Jimmie Foxx and Ted Williams were the other Red Sox players to hit 500 home runs. Sammy Sosa, Hanley Ramirez and Albert Pujols were the fellow Dominicans to reach that number.

After hitting 500 into the seats in right field, the Red Six bench poured out of the dugout while the relief pitchers jogged from the bullpen to meet him. Ortiz stepped on home and did his usual home run routine, give his fingers a kiss than point to the sky. He was greeted by "Let's go Papi," chants while doing so. 




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