This day in Red Sox history: Boston signs the legendary David Ortiz
David Ortiz started his legendary stint with the Red Sox over two decades ago.
David Ortiz is one of the first names that comes to mind for most baseball fans when the Boston Red Sox are mentioned. "Big Papi," as he is often referred to by others, had a massive impact on the franchise for a little over a decade.
Ortiz began his professional career with the Minnesota Twins in 1997 and spent six years in Minneapolis before landing with Boston on a one-year, $1.25 million deal in 2003.
Big Papi had a fairly decent tenure with Minnesota, as he compiled a .266 average with 58 homers, 238 RBI, and an .809 OPS. However, somewhat surprisingly, he was released by the Twins, allowing the Red Sox to swoop in and snag a future Hall of Famer. Minnesota just ... didn't get it.
Red Sox sign David Ortiz for 2003 season
At the conclusion of the 2002 season, Boston added a new General Manager to their organization. That ended up being Theo Epstein, who was 28 years old at the time.
Boston had originally come to terms with Billy Beane to become the new GM on Nov. 10, 2002 on a five-year deal. Beane would decline the offer the next day in favor of staying in Oakland so he could spend more time with his daughter. This is what led to the Red Sox hiring the youngest general manager in MLB history on Nov. 25, 2002.
Before Epstein took over the reins, Boston had made a couple of moves during the offseason. On Oct. 9, Brandon Lyon was selected off waivers by the Sox. Nov. 6 saw the signing of free agent catcher Chris Coste.
One of the first moves made by Epstein as GM was the release of Wayne Gomes. He then acquired second baseman Todd Walker from the Reds and, a few days later, Jeremy Giambi from the Phillies. Ramiro Mendoza was then signed, followed by Bill Mueller.
The next move he made would further change the course of Boston Red Sox history, as David Ortiz was signed to a one-year deal. Epstein likely had no idea how important Ortiz would become for the franchise. A month later, Boston acquired Kevin Millar by blocking a deal the Marlins had made with the Chunichi Dragons of the Japanese Central League.
However, Ortiz was the biggest part of this offseason, as he ended up leaving behind an incredible legacy in Beantown. Just look at those names, though. What a one-year turnaround
David Ortiz's debut season in Boston
Ortiz's debut season was one to remember, as he put up career-best numbers across 128 games played. He slugged 31 home runs, drove in 101 runs, and posted a .961 OPS, and 145 wRC+. His success helped lead the Red Sox to a 95-67 finish.
Humorously enough, Boston ended up facing Billy Beane's Oakland Athletics in the ALDS. Boston rallied back from a 0-2 series deficit and advanced to the ALCS to face their arch-enemy, the New York Yankees.
It took seven games to decide the winner of the ALCS and, unfortunately, the Red Sox weren't able to get it done, as Aaron Boone took Tim Wakefield deep in extra innings to send the Yankees to an eventual World Series title. This sure didn't help the case for breaking the Curse of the Bambino.
The curse is finally lifted
What Red Sox fans didn't know, is that curse was on the cusp of being destroyed. Boston fired manager Grady Little after being bounced from the ALCS. They would then hire Terry Francona to serve as manager in 2004. One of the biggest offseason moves was Boston making a trade with the Diamondbacks for Curt Schilling.
Ortiz signed on another one-year deal, this time worth $4.5 million, as he became a huge power threat alongside Manny Ramirez. This would be Ortiz's first All-Star season, as his star power emerged.
He earned his first Silver Slugger award with 175 hits, including 41 homers and 139 RBI. Ortiz was paramount in helping Boston reach and win the 2004 World Series. Ortiz would earn MVP honors in the ALCS, as he was 12-for-35 with three homers and 11 RBI.
Ortiz ended up spending 14 years with the Red Sox, during which he created a Hall of Fame resume that includes 10 All-Star selections, seven Silver Slugger awards, and three World Series titles. He retired as one of the best designated hitters in all of baseball.
Iconic David Ortiz Moments with Red Sox
There were so many great moments featuring Big Papi, including his first Red Sox home run, which was a pinch-hit homer in extra innings to put Boston up on the Angels. His walk-off homer to complete a sweep of the Angels during the 2004 ALDS, during which he sent Jarrod Washburn's first pitch sailing over the Green Monster in extras, should've been a harbinger of things to (quickly) come.
The 2004 ALCS alone features some of his most clutch hits. Ortiz hit a walk-off homer in the 12th inning to give the Red Sox a fighting chance, as they were down 3-0 in the series. This began a chain reaction that propelled Boston to do the impossible.
On the next day, Ortiz hit another home run in the eighth inning to start a rally that allowed the Sox to tie the game at four apiece. Ortiz then battled in a 10-pitch at bat and eventually lined a bloop single into center field, scoring Johnny Damon and sending the series back to New York.
Boston won Game 6 behind a gutsy performance on the mound by Schilling. It came down to a winner-take-all Game 7 to determine the ALCS. Ortiz launched a two-run homer in the first inning, setting the pace for the remainder of the game. Damon hit a grand slam in the second inning and Boston did the impossible, becoming the first team to overcome a 3-0 series deficit.
The Red Sox took down the Cardinals in a four-game sweep to win their first World Series title since 1918. Had Boston not taken the chance on Ortiz in 2003, who knows how long it may have taken to break the curse?
There is one more moment that is synonymous with the name David Ortiz, and that is his speech at Fenway days after the Boston Marathon bombings in 2013, declaring, "This is our f------ city and nobody is going to dictate our freedom." In that moment, he cemented that he was devoted to and loved the city of Boston. It was such a powerful moment.
Ortiz made it known in 2006 that he wanted to finish his career in Boston, and he would do exactly that. Big Papi helped the team win a World Series again in both 2007 and 2013. He was known as one of the most inspirational players in that clubhouse and knew how to motivate his teammates to greatness.
There are so many iconic moments when thinking back on the career of David Ortiz, and there could be an entire piece covering the slew of memories he provided. Signing Ortiz was the best decision the Red Sox could have made back in 2003.
He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame on July 24, 2022, alongside Bud Fowler, Gil Hodges, Jim Kaat, Minnie Miñoso, Tony Oliva, and Buck O’Neil.
Thanks for the memories Big Papi!
feed