Papi returning to form just in time?
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Even the foul balls and outs came with malice, with intent, with much more than a hint of ferocity.
On this night, at least, the man in the batter's box looked less like a wounded David Ortiz and more like an imposing Big Papi.
"He looked dangerous," Red Sox hitting coach Dave Magadan said in a quiet corner of the Red Sox clubhouse following the team's 10-3 beating at the hands of the Tampa Bay Rays last night. "He had four quality at-bats where he looked dangerous on every swing."
That's right, Iceman, I am dangerous. Isn't that really what this is all about? After missing roughly two months with a wrist injury in the middle of the season, Ortiz returned to the Boston lineup in a 1-0 loss to the New York Yankees July 25. He really has not been his old self. Entering Wednesday's series finale at Tampa, Ortiz was batting .274 with six home runs and 38 RBIs in 47 games since his return. He has not looked like a lineup centerpiece as much as he has looked like, say, a No. 6 hitter.
Along the way, of course, the Red Sox traded away Manny Ramirez. As much as Ortiz was playing with a damaged left wrist, he also seemed to be playing with a dampened spirit.
Last week, after Jonathan Papelbon blew a 4-3 lead to these same Rays, the Red Sox came to bat in the bottom of the ninth inning at Fenway Park. After Mark Kotsay walked, Jason Varitek stepped up to hit and Ortiz moved into the on-deck circle. What happened next might have been the most revealing moment in Ortiz's entire 2008 season: Varitek attempted to sacrifice on two occasions for a team that all but breaks into a rash anytime someone squares to bunt.
In retrospect, one of two possibilities existed, and neither reflected particularly well on Ortiz:
a.) either the Red Sox were willing to sacrifice Ortiz's at-bat in the form of an intentional walk, with the game on the line, to put the bat in the hands of Coco Crisp, or;
b.) the Rays would have been willing to face him with the tying run in scoring position of a key divisional affair.
Were Ramirez still behind Ortiz, we would have marveled yet again at how the Red Sox had backed their opponent into a corner in the late innings of a close game. But without Ramirez -- who even in this instance would not have been hitting behind Ortiz because Ortiz was inserted into the No. 9 hole as a pinch hitter -- the writing was on the wall for anyone who cared to notice. Even if opponents still regarded Ortiz as the fearsome, intimidating force he once was . . . the Red Sox did not.
Then came last night, when Ortiz hit two homers against Rays starter Matt Garza, both blasts jacked toward the roof of Tropicana Field as if launched from Cape Canaveral. The second never came down at all. By the time Ortiz came to bat in the fifth inning with two men on base of what was then an 8-3 Tampa lead, his prowess had so sufficiently been restored -- at least for a night -- that Rays manager Joe Maddon was willing to yank Garza with the pitcher one out short of a victory with a five-run lead.
"It isn't about Garza's won-loss record," Maddon told reporters after the game. "It's about the Rays' won-loss record."
And so in came the fireballing Grant Balfour, against whom Ortiz took a succession of mighty swings before flying out to deep center field.
Later in the game, against lefthander J.P. Howell with the game decided, Ortiz hit a deep fly to right, finishing with two homers on a night when he did not finish far from four.
"My hand's been feeling good the past few days," Ortiz said when asked about his performance. "Hopefully it will stay like that for a while."
Should that prove to be the case, we all understand the potential impact. After beginning his Red Sox playoff career by going 0 for 16 with six strikeouts against the Oakland A's in 2003, Ortiz hit what proved to a game-winning double against Keith Foulke in the eighth inning of Game 4 of the ALDS. Beginning with that plate appearance, he has since batted .338 in the postseason and slugged .649 with 11 home runs, 13 doubles, and 30 walks in 39 games, during which the Red Sox have gone 26-13 and won two world titles. In 2004, Ortiz was named MVP of the ALCS; last year, in 14 games, he had 17 hits, 16 runs scored, 14 walks and 10 RBIs.
Naturally, all of those numbers came with Ramirez hitting behind him, though that only magnifies the point: The Sox need Ortiz now more than ever. While pitching was at the root of Wednesday's loss, the Sox also played the game without Mike Lowell, J.D. Drew, Jason Bay, and Jason Varitek. Assuming health -- and that is a very big assumption at the moment -- the Red Sox will have a much deeper batting order when they take the field in October, when a healthy and productive Ortiz could change the lineup the way a healthy and focused Ramirez did a year ago.
That said, Ortiz is not all the way there yet; he still seems to have some doubts. His wrist feels good on some days, less so on others. He said flying seems to intensify the problem. At the same time, remember that the Red Sox have been in firm control of a playoff spot for some time and veteran players like Ortiz are focused on one thing -- October -- so maybe it is not coincidence that Ortiz suddenly seems to be swinging with more aggressiveness and confidence as autumn nears.
"That's what I'm looking for," Ortiz said in an otherwise empty clubhouse when asked whether he thought he could be consistent in October. "It's good to feel like that right now, but this [stuff] is subject to change. [The wrist] is something I try not think about. I would say that most of the time, it's not even there. I'm the kind of guy that -- I look forward to being in the lineup."
Look forward two weeks.
What happens if he really starts to hit?
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One thing I'd quibble with is Ortiz hit behind Rameriz for 2003 and 2004. I've never heard why the change was made, but so much is now made of Ortiz not having Rameriz hit behind him, I wonder if we've made a false idol out of it. Sure Rameriz was behind him during his incredible 05 and 06 seasons, but when he went on his historic tear at the end of 06, Rameriz was feigning injury and making beach vacation plans.
Maybe someone should remind Ortiz of this to get it out of his head, instead of reminding him Rameriz is gone. Especially since Youk and Pedroia have done a good job of backing up Ortiz, even as he has struggled to regain his form.
Or, here's an idea! ASK Francona about this... why he made the change in the first place, how much it really does matter to Ortiz, what he hopes to do to restore Ortiz' confidence without Rameriz around, etc.? Ask Youk if Ortiz has given him any sense of approval as his new cleanup hitter. Sounds like a good story line.
How come we don't get more stories about strategies and managerial decisions after a game anwyay? I think the press corp gives Francona, who they like, a free pass on this. I personally think Francona's answers, when he gives them, make sense. So the issue isn't Francona bashing. But Girardi gets peppered in NY. Not so here from the so-called brutal Boston press corps! If Amalie is our beat reporter, than someone train her to ask the tougher questions.
Actually, in '03 and much of '04, Ortiz was hitting behind Ramirez. So he can hit without Manny.
Off topic, but clearly the Quote of the Day:
"I mentioned a day off to Manny and he said he doesn't need a day off and that was the end of that conversation," said Torre, who earlier said he hoped to give Thursday's game off for Ramirez, who hasn't missed a game since his July 31 acquisition. "We'll keep playing him, and if we continue to win, we'll deal with it later."
Ramirez, a free agent after this season, confirmed he doesn't need a rest.
"I'm Cal Ripken," he said.
Glad to see Papi regains his dangerous hitting form. But my concern is that if Youk or Lowell happens to get into a slump during the post season, then Papi isnt going to get a good pitch to hit. He would be getting alot of walks including intentional walks. That is what we all should be concern, these middle of the line up hitters including Lowell (or Drew too) if he can play in the postseason. Without him or them, Papi isnt going to have a good post season!!!
Nice to see Papi to become one of the dangerous hitter going to the month of September and hopefully to the month of October. But my concern isnt him, my concern is these middle of the line up hitters!! If they cant step up during any of these post season games, Papi isnt going to be getting any good pitch to hit. Meaning he will draw alot of walks!! Then the whole team is screwed unless these bottom hitters can suprise us!!
If Lowell can come back to play in the post season, then rest him for the rest of the season!! He is the guy that Boston need the most during the post season cuz he is a perfect fitted #4 hitter, not Youk!!
Ok, my lineup for the post season, disregarding lefty/righty pitcher matchups. Papi has to go fourth in my book, it changes everything if he hits there. He will then protect Youk:
Elsebury
Pedroia
Youk
Papi
Bay
Lowell (hopefully)
Crisp
Lowrie
Tek
Brian, not bad, but what if (miracles of miracles) that J.D. Drew is back and in J.D. Drew, All Star Game MVP mode by the time we (inevitably it seems) face the Angels? I just think Crisp has been doing a good job and I might think speed in the outfield might just precede a possible good bat.
Brian, FINALLY someone said it!! I've been preaching Papi batting clean up since the trade! Don't give me that "We don't want to upset Papi BS", any hitter should relish the idea of batting fourth for the red sox! It's like the offensive version of playing SS or CF, you put your best infielder and outfielder there, and the 4 hole should be for your big gun. I mean Youk would be a great #3 hitter, hits more for avg and onbase% than power. So Youk gets on base, moves the guys over, and Papi drives them in. Right?
I'm glad Papi is breaking out of his funk. But unless we have Lowell healthy and productive, and a productive Drew, we're not making it out of the ALDS. The line up as is has proven it can't win on the road against good pitching. I love the Sox, but Bay, Varitek, and Elsebury aren't getting it done behind the plate. Youk and Pedroia will be locked in as they always are when the heat is on. I don't care what anyone says, Can hit on the road, we won't beat the Angels or Rays. No way. I just hope the bats wake up in time. It really sucks that we can get steller outings from Beckett and Dice K and not put more than 1 run on the board. Not axceptable with this line up. This line up doesn't show up when it needs to.
Brian,
Like your thinking and haven't heard it before. You have a great point that Youk and Pedroia will be on base a ton in front of Ortiz, Bay's 30 HRs this year provide consistent protection as well. Might have to change mine.
What about Drew? Writing him off? I read he's swinging just fine, so I wouldn't yet. He was clutch last year and even when not exactly right, draws a lot of walks. In some ways he's even more important right now than Lowell. A lineup with both Ellsbury and Crisp is too soft. Both guy are slapping and scuffling even when hot.
when are the red sox going to stop using wakefield.He is terrible!The sox should get rid of the older players such as wake,tilman and a few others. give the young guy's a chance
Bob Tilman retired 25 years ago
"I'm Cal Ripken," he said.
With the Sox this year, he was Cal Koonce.
(The site won't allow a link, so you'll just have to look it up.)
umm, who is Tilman? Wakefield has been the most consistent pitcher for the Sox the last 10 years....Timlin (4 World Series Rings....)yeah he shouldn't be pitching when the game is on the line, but he is good for middle relief. I'm sorry, but with the playoffs on the line, I would rather see someone who is proven than someone who is not.
larry,
who is "tilman"?? Wake up and watch some games before you get rid some of the "older players". Who would you replace a solid, inning eating starter like Wakefield with?? Buchholtz? Name someone equal to his season long performance over the last 4 or 5 years, as a #4 starter.
"when are the red sox going to stop using wakefield.He is terrible!"
Larry,
It would be dumb for the Red So to get get rid of Wakefield. Where else are you going to find a pitcher making the money that Wakefield makes that can give you 170 - 190 innings a season, 10 - 15 wins, 25 - 30 starts per season, has a good clubhouse presence, can pitch on short rest, and is willing to come out of the bullpen for some long relief? Sure Wakefield can look awful in some of his starts (i.e. his most recent start), but if you look at his numbers at the end of the season he is a quality number 4 or 5 guy in the rotation...
For the sake of you younsters, Bob Tillman was the backup catcher to Russ Nixon in the early 60s. He might have even been a starter one year.
BTW, with Manny gone, this team now BELONGS to Pedroia and Youk.
This team is all business. Don't see many of the elaborate handshakes anymore.
What's up guys? You can't recognize a typo when he meant "Timlin?" Get with it!
Focusing on T Francona, I watched his incompetence when he allowed Masterston to remain on the mound after walking 2 and hitting a batter to load the bases with no outs...Why Francona stayed with a pitcher who clearly lost it in the 9th is beyond understanding. After walking 2 Francona should have gone to the bullpen...then after hitting a batter it was clearly time to make a change...the rest of the story is history.....when the team is doing great who needs genius and vision in a manager...its needed when the sox get in trouble like they did the other night...Francona is the one that should be replaced for demonstrating once again his inability to really manage when its needed
Toni Maz: How do you characterize a manager who plays someone, instead of sitting them, who quits on the team several times to the disgust of players like Varitek and Schilling, and throws a 64 year old man to the ground in a selfish me first attitude.
A manager who will do ANYTHING TO WIN, LIKE TERRY FRANCONA.
And, don't tell me he was ordered to play Manny by management. A man that would do that AGAINST EVERYTHING HE SUPPOSIDLY BELIEVES IN has zero integrity and backbone, which is why some players have little respect for him.
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