BOSTON — David Ortiz added to his legend Saturday with a clutch performance for the ages. But after the game, he had places to be.
Big Papi twice played the role of hero in a 6-5, extra-innings win over the Houston Astros at Fenway Park. After tying the score in the ninth with a two-out RBI triple, Ortiz crushed a walk-off RBI double off the center field wall to send Boston out victorious.
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Yet after the 20th regular-season walk-off hit of his storied career, Ortiz didn’t exactly stand on ceremony. Declining to talk to the media because of a prior engagement, the outspoken designated hitter hustled for the clubhouse exit before turning around at the door to drop an incredible line.
“Just say I’m a bad mother–, man,” Ortiz said. “I’m out.”
Consider it done, David.
Fortunately for Ortiz, his manager and teammates had no problem explaining the 40-year-old’s heroics in a bit more detail.
“What David is doing — it really is incredible to watch daily,” manager John Farrell said. “What makes David so good in those spots is he never comes out of his approach. His heart rate, I don’t think really elevates that much.
“… He’s hitting in those moments with such clarity, and he’s done it so often that he’s extremely confident in those key spots.”
Ortiz reached two milestones in his historic day. He blasted his 513th home run in the fourth inning to move up Major League Baseball’s all-time home run list, then recorded his 600th double on his 11th-inning walk-off to join Barry Bonds and Hank Aaron as the only two players in MLB history with at least 600 doubles and 500 home runs.
“David, man — when you mention the name, there’s a lot of history, a lot of clutch hits,” first baseman Hanley Ramirez said. “There’s a lot of things, both on and off the field. I’m really happy for him.”
Ortiz’s on-field track record in his final MLB season speaks for itself, but Saturday’s quote should go up there as one of his top off-field moments.
Thumbnail photo via Noah K. Murray/USA TODAY Sports Images
