Jul 20, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz (34) celebrates after hitting a two0run home run against the Los Angeles Angels during the sixth inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
David Ortiz has never, ever had a strike called on him – at least in his view. The endless histrionics with a Papi at bat can be the baseball fingernails on the blackboard. Step out, expectorate, pound your mittens, stare, and the step in. Stare back at every strike called.
Then comes the bat flip. The flip is the two stage flip: The first being the frustration flip over missing “his pitch” and the second is the long ball flip. The long ball flip should be used sparingly, especially in certain situations. And based on this season it has been used sparingly since Ortiz has suffered a power outage.
In a game against the Angels, Papi hit one out and went into his happy dance. Wonderful. Your team is down something like 123-3, Red Sox Nation is worshiping for implementation of the slaughter rule, and Papi is doing his home run prance. Please. Just please. Let Don Drysdale or Bob Gibson be brought back as 30-year-olds for one, just one, Ortiz at bat. That would certainly be a wake-up call for “The Diva.”