Pied Papi
In the six seasons since he was bestowed upon us by the baseball gods (with an assist from Terry Ryan), we've said this so often that we might as well pretend it's trademarked:
 (Joel Page/AP Photo) |
Turns out he was also a pretty special thing for the Portland Sea Dogs as well.
Along with my daughter, who through her wide 4-year-old eyes sees Papi as some amalgam of the Cookie Monster and a cartoon superhero, I was among the 7,000 or so eager fans who packed Hadlock Field Monday night to witness his first rehab appearance in the state of Maine.
I'll admit, I was curious to see how Papi would handle the whole Big Fish In A Double-A Pond experience. Oh, I knew he'd smile and wave and acknowledge the cheers to a reasonable extent; we all know he's an uncommonly good-natured man who seems more or less incapable of prima donna behavior (though certain home plate umpires might disagree).
It's just that after three games in Pawtucket (and three home runs) prior to coming to Portland, the cynic in me assumed Papi had already grown weary of the Thank Heavens His Wrist Is Okay Rehab Tour 2008, that he must have been anxious to get back to the big leagues and his big-league life.
And you know, he probably was. But bless him, he sure didn't show it.
Papi was great. He was charming, charismatic, larger-than-life yet approachable. He liberally flashed that famous easy smile, put in more than a cameo appearance signing autographs, offered a high-five to every young fan within an arm's length, even turned toward the crowd and posed for pictures while he was on third base during a pitching change. He was everything you hoped he'd be, and a tape-measure blast beyond that.
The only letdown, if you could call it such a thing, was that he failed to hit a home run, though he did hit a thunderclap of a popup that at first looked like it was destined to plunk the L.L. Bean boot beyond the outfield fence. Sitting in the right field pavilion, I'm not ashamed to say I flinched and nearly dropped my Sea Dog biscuit. (That's not nearly as vulgar as it sounds.)
The fans weren't the only ones in awe. It was equal parts comical and endearing to watch how the other Sea Dogs carried themselves in his presence, especially during the pregame; they were like wide-eyed eighth graders who somehow lucked into hanging out with the varsity captain. I'm pretty sure once Papi gets back to Boston, he'll discover Iggy Suarez has stowed away in his duffel bag.
I didn't realize this was possible, but I departed Portland that night with more respect and admiration for him than I had before. It was among the most fun times I've ever had at a ballpark, because of my little girl's company, because it was a postcard-perfect July evening, and of course because of Papi's presence.
The whole scene was a pleasant, and perhaps necessary, reminder of how wonderful baseball can be. Did I mention I'm 38 years old? I can only imagine how kids must have felt.
Papi is a true rarity among the modern famous: he's a genuine superstar who possesses a man-of-the-people grace. He's larger than life, yet never too big for anyone.
In time, I suppose he might forget ever coming to Portland. But he made sure Portland will never forget when Big Papi came to them.
* * *
As for today's Completely Random Baseball Card:
Papi's appearance in Portland reminded me of the other time I saw a significant big leaguer play a minor league rehab game in Maine. Trust me when I say this was an entirely different experience.
In 1987, while working his way back to the Mets after going through drug rehab, Dwight Gooden pitched against the Maine Guides (the Official Defunct Minor League Team of TATB) in Old Orchard Beach.
It's easy to forget now, as Gooden's legacy is that of a cautionary tale more than anything else, but there was a brief time in the mid-'80s where he trailed only Michael Jordan as the biggest superstar in sports. They called him Dr. K, and save for Pedro Martinez in his prime, the most consistently dazzling starting pitcher I have ever seen is Dwight Gooden in '85.
While his star had already begun to fade by '87 (though few realized it yet), he was still a huge deal when he came to The Ballpark. And he knew it. Gooden carried himself with a remarkable air of arrogance, scarcely acknowledging the fans before or during the game, and even sharing a snicker with a Tidewater teammate as a Maine player named Ken Dowell writhed in the batters box after getting beaned.
He struck me as a reprehensible character right then. He did nothing in the ensuing acts of his life to change my mind.
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Loved the bit about Papi, and completely share your opinion. One grouse though. I really think you should have opened with the Gooden bit, and closed with the Papi tale. After being transported to a great scene with a great player, it left a sour taste to finish with the Gooden reminiscence. Made me wish I'd stopped reading before the Random Baseball Card.
That said - I've been reading you for several years now and (minor gripes such as this notwithanding) always enjoy it. Keep up the good work
His nephew (Gary Sheffield) has been no charm either. Arrogance must run in the family.
Very well written piece. Some others who write for the Globe/Boston.com could learn a lesson or two from you. You have a dream job.
Funny thing is, Rich, Sheffield was in Portland on injury rehab 10 or so years ago when they were a Marlins affiliate, I heard nothing but good things about the way he treated people.
Papi, undoubtedly, is a wonderful man, and thank you to Chad Finn for this equally lovely piece of writing!
How can you not love Papi? He's someone I want my son to look up to.
Great piece.
Who gives Boston fans more wet dreams, Ortiz or Brady? With Simmons on the DL, I think you need to do a 10,000-word breakdown.
i care about the game and the team more than the players who make millions and come and go, more or less as hired guns. never was the autograph type or one to want to meet any particular athlete...
but, if i was asked to name the one player, active or retired, that i would want to have an opportunity to meet, it would be david ortiz.
I tried to go to the Gooden game. Bought tickets over the phone and everything for my brother and friends, then drove to OOB for the game. They were clearly overwhelmed with the demand, and out tickets were lost....Or did you steal them? I'm still pissed.
Nice piece, Chad. Was wondering when we were going to get your take. Hey, the season starts for real Friday. Papi, Lowrie & Masterson, if he pitches the way he did yesterday, & admittedly Seattle is terrible, makes us a much better team. Check the message boards on the Ny Daily News site for a chuckle. They seem to think we've got the 'deer in the headlights' look. Guess they haven't got the memo about that defending champs thing. Fenway will be rockin'
What's Doc up to these days anyways? I know, washing Steinbrenners car inbetween starts for whatever "Florida Dept. of Corrections Out on Parole League" team he's suiting up for.
Remember when The Rocket and Dr.K ruled the baseball world? Who knew that 2 decades later both careers would serve as cautionary tales about the perils of drug use. Doc=career shortened by cocaine addiction, Clemens=career prolonged by steroid use. Legacy for both? Somewhere between "what if" and eternal shame.
To use his own words, He is a "Bad "M****rF****r!" I will always love the fact that what really helped solidify his presence was the Hillenbrand for BK Kim deal (coupled with jeremy giambi's steroid induced breakdown). I think it was one of their great unsung deals as it ended the roundabout lineup they had to use to keep Shea's mouth shut and made Papi, Mueller and Millar everyday players and each justified the move with career years in 2003. In a nutshell, it was like removing a organ polluted by cancer and getting a transplant...it changes everything!
Almost forgot, Brian Cashman proved why he is the most overrated GM in history when Steinbrenner said he wanted Ortiz and Cashman told him that because they had Juicin' Giambi and Never Healthy Nick Johnson that they did not need another left handed hitting 1B/DH.
I am glad that Big Papi in Portland was as great as I imagined it would be. My husband, daughter, & I have spent many evenings at Hadlock Field as summer Maine residents, and believe that the Hadlock experience is as pure as baseball can be. It sounds like Big Papi only added to that reality!
Fair enough, Duke, but to be fair, the Sox didn't really know what they had either. Remember, he was originally brought in to platoon with the OTHER Giambi. Sometimes you get lucky.
I remember my dad driving us up to Maine to see Doc Gooden in 87.
I've never been a fan of any Met based on what happened the year before though, so I was mostly rooting against him.
Mostly I remember the traffic on the way back :)
What a wonderful bit of writing. The Iggy Suarez line was a gem. As a Sea Dogs season ticket holder I feel fortunate to have enjoyed many fine baseball evenings over the years in Portland, but Big Papi's debut was extra special.
David Ortiz Is The Best Thing Ever To Happen To The Boston Red Sox™
Hear, hear.
Met Papi in Baltimore a few years ago, and he was off the charts NICE! Thanks for the article. I've met sport celebs who were jerks to me and other kids (I was a kid when I met them): Reggie Jackson, Yaz, Bill Russell, and Bob Montgomery to name a few. And, many others who were GREAT: Steve Grogan, Dick Conn, Andy Johnson, Sparky Lyle, Luis Tiant, ML Carr, Cedric Maxwell, and Pat Sullivan (Pats GM). We will always remember the good and the bad, and Papi is one of the good.
I don't think it's fair to count one small encounter as the rationale behind your judgment of a person. I'm sure that Tom Brady, whom I worship unhealthily, has been a jerk to his fans. I'm also certain that Barry Bonds, whom I hate with all my heart, has made a young kid's day before by giving him a few minutes. Always remember that for every 100 autographs that an athlete signs, there's the 101st that he doesn't, which shouldn't make him a bad guy.
I guess we just don't "know" these athletes at all, no matter how much we want to (and Mr. Brady, please lift that restraining order against me, I just want to have a beer with you, I promise).
Great article on Papi. I would have to agree with the Gooden comments, unbelievable talent at one time, but not much of a person. I had a chance to meet Cedric Maxwell when the C's were in town playing the Hawks, and he was incredibly gracious, signing my son's Celtics shirt and posing for pictures. It's great to see and hear about the greats who are just that - on and off the field/court.
This blogger might want to review your comment before posting it.
Irreverence and insight from Chad Finn, a Globe/Boston.com sports writer and lifelong and incurable sports nut. Yes, he realizes how lucky he is. You can e-mail him at chadfinn4@yahoo.com.
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