Yeah you can count the fact the he doesn't play defense against him. As with most sports especially baseball it's a mental thing. Most of the time Ortiz walks up to the plate, jogs around the bases and sits back down waiting for the next at bat. He has time to mentally prepare, watch tape, whatever it is he does. Going on on that field to play defense adds another element to the game for each player. If they make an error it comes back to the plate at the next at bat. Mentally playing defense makes it more difficult at the plate. It's just one more thing on your mind and with a ball coming in a 90+ miles an hour you don't need that extra distraction.Mind you I'm not knocking Ortiz, the man is part machine at the plate, anything is possible when he is up there, but there is more to the game then just hitting a ball.
Interesting read. Dug. Although the sports by nature are hard to define as clutch moments. Bird may be one of the top 10 player ever. Big Papi is not in that arena. To me baseball by nature is more akin to having clutch plays.
For someone who witnessed his amazing abilities in the clutch first-hand. I really don't care what people say when they compare him to others. You go stand in Fenway in the bottom of the ninth when he is up to bat as the go-ahead run (and then homer) and feel the excitement in the crowd and try and tell me he is not clutch. Just the excitement he brings to the park and the team is enough for me. He is an amazing hitter and definitely the most clutch hitter in baseball, no matter what some BS statistics may say.
Just read my post below and you will see what perspective we Boston fans actually have. If you felt that excitement your mind would be changed in a heartbeat...
taylorhaywardAug 3, 2006
You know you're good when Manny Ramirez is referred to as your "side kick".
mfrattAug 3, 2006
Unless youre John Kerry, then its Manny Ortez.
illegalchuckAug 3, 2006Submitter
I can't believe he didnt say Toni Kukoc...
phi144Aug 3, 2006
Yeah you can count the fact the he doesn't play defense against him. As with most sports especially baseball it's a mental thing. Most of the time Ortiz walks up to the plate, jogs around the bases and sits back down waiting for the next at bat. He has time to mentally prepare, watch tape, whatever it is he does. Going on on that field to play defense adds another element to the game for each player. If they make an error it comes back to the plate at the next at bat. Mentally playing defense makes it more difficult at the plate. It's just one more thing on your mind and with a ball coming in a 90+ miles an hour you don't need that extra distraction.Mind you I'm not knocking Ortiz, the man is part machine at the plate, anything is possible when he is up there, but there is more to the game then just hitting a ball.
donsmithAug 3, 2006
Interesting read. Dug. Although the sports by nature are hard to define as clutch moments. Bird may be one of the top 10 player ever. Big Papi is not in that arena. To me baseball by nature is more akin to having clutch plays.
a_moneyAug 4, 2006
duke time: papi's a southpaw so obviously he didn't borrow youkilis's :-P
soxfannhAug 5, 2006
For someone who witnessed his amazing abilities in the clutch first-hand. I really don't care what people say when they compare him to others. You go stand in Fenway in the bottom of the ninth when he is up to bat as the go-ahead run (and then homer) and feel the excitement in the crowd and try and tell me he is not clutch. Just the excitement he brings to the park and the team is enough for me. He is an amazing hitter and definitely the most clutch hitter in baseball, no matter what some BS statistics may say.
soxfannhAug 5, 2006
Just read my post below and you will see what perspective we Boston fans actually have. If you felt that excitement your mind would be changed in a heartbeat...