Big Papi feeling the love

The Guru
Contributing Writer


Before last nights game at Fenway Park, David Ortiz crashed Terry Francona's press conference. Again. Not to complain about a lost RBI this time, but to put his former manager in a big 'ol bear hug. There was obvious affection in the gesture.

Not so much affection once the game started.

With the Sox down 4-0 in the second inning Ortiz launched the first pitch he saw from Indians starter Zach McAllister 446 feet over the right field bullpen.

Big Papi even took a little time to enjoy this one. And why not, it was the longest home run at Fenway in over three years.

Unfortunately the Sox never got any closer and dropped the first game of the series 12-3.

Big Papi was the Red Sox silver lining in an ugly loss filled with bad starting pitching, errors in the field, runners thrown out at the plate and soggy Fenway Franks.

In 29 games, Ortiz is hitting .351 with a .397 OBP and slugging a robust .640. Ortiz leads the team in batting average, home runs (8) and is second in RBI with 34.

Ortiz has rebounded from a recent slump in which he went 0-17 to hit .429 with three homers and 12 RBI in his last seven games. Oh, and he stole third base this week for the first time in his career.

The numbers are astonishing considering Ortiz missed the first three weeks of the season because of an Achilles injury suffered last year.

The short list of Sox MVP's a quarter of the way through the season would have to include Lester, Buchholz, Pedroia and David Ortiz. All look destined to be members of this years AL All-Star team.

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