DAVID ORTIZ
Star players often crash and burn when given a managerial role and that could happen to David Ortiz except Ortiz was not a star player. Now before you gather the tar and feathers, Ortiz was a throwaway from the Twins and on the bench in Boston. A break like what happened with Tom Brady of the Patriots and the rest is history.
Ortiz can certainly relate to the roster-filler players as well as he could to the stars that shine. Ortiz has experienced both in his baseball journey. This is one star that could make the transition to orchestrate a team based on his hardscrabble beginnings both in Dominica and in the professional ranks.
Ortiz has the knowledge, the fans, the media, and most certainly the players. He also has no filters as we all know and could handle the vociferous media with anyone. If you want a manager that could fumigate any possible organizational stench it would be Papi. Not to mention a rare item with a manager as an attraction.
Ortiz is only on the periphery of the Red Sox but considered a valued member of the organization. The downside would be why in the world would he take it? Sometimes a challenge is needed and being the manager of the Red Sox is certainly in that category. The plus for the organization is replacing one Hispanic with another – no possible blowback in our ultra-sensitive times.
CHANCES – Excellent