Red Sox fans should take offense to Yordan Alvarez-David Ortiz comparisons

When David Ortiz himself dubbed Houston Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez "Baby Papi" after he went 2-for-4 with two RBI in Game 3 of the 2023 ALCS, we should have known that the Big Papi comparisons wouldn't stop there.

Alvarez absolutely pummeled Boston's pitching staff in the Astros' three-game sweep of the Red Sox at Fenway Park last weekend, smacking six hits in 10 at-bats, tallying three home runs and five RBI.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora sang Alvarez's praises, making special note of his plate discipline and power after his two-home run effort in Saturday's contest. Cora even went so far as to make a lofty, if not slightly exaggerated, comparison between Alvarez and Red Sox legend David Ortiz.

"Being a lefty, he hits lefties," Cora said of Alvarez in his postgame press conference on Saturday. "It seems like he likes hitting here. The wall keeps him close, he can shoot the other way. He’s the closest thing to David, probably, in the game. Very, very similar to David Ortiz.”

In Boston, there's no higher compliment than that. But is it a fair one to give to the opposing player who cemented himself as public enemy No. 1 in the three-game sweep?

Red Sox fans should take offense to Yordan Alvarez-David Ortiz comparisons

The comparison may not be altogether inaccurate, but perhaps it's a bit premature. In 14 seasons with the Red Sox, Ortiz was a 10-time All-Star, a seven-time Silver Slugger winner, and a three-time World Series champion. His No. 34 is emblazoned on the right-field wall at Fenway Park, alongside those of other Red Sox legends. Widely regarded as one of the greatest designated hitters of all time, he became a first-ballot Baseball Hall of Famer in 2022.

His career home run (541) and RBI (1,768) totals are impressive in their own right, but Ortiz also gained much of his notoriety due to his clutch ability in key moments at the plate. Sure, Alvarez is known for his series-clinching blast in Game 6 of the 2022 World Series; but at age 27 with just six seasons of MLB experience, he has a long way to go be fore he approaches Big Papi territory.

Alvarez's hot weekend in Boston rose his OPS+ to 167, which is 67% above the league average. He now has 25 home runs and a .304 batting average (No. 5 among American League hitters) in 2024. If he wasn't already the Red Sox's nemesis this season, his comparison – earned or not – to one of the most beloved figures in franchise history is just salt in the wound.

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