How Would I Grade David Ortiz for 2009?
Sep 30th 09
He goes nearly a month trying to smash just one ball over the opposing outfielders’ heads, he was whistle-blown for having his name on the PED list, he never has gotten his average above the league median, and throughout most of the year, many have questioned on how legit this guy can be for the Red Sox future.
This is what I expected from Ortiz this year ( And I wasn’t far off. I posted this on Facebook, so don’t think I am fibbing about this one: ):
Ortiz: 32 HR, 111 RBI
He will get 100 RBIs by the season’s end, and maybe he could reach 30, which would make a very good season. But the inconsistency, and the atrocious start ( Which I have never seen the likes of. Maybe Derek Jeter a few years back ) make me think twice about how good he really was all year.
At the same time, his talent is still so immense that he pretty much has been one of the top 5 RBI men in baseball since mid-May, and he has put fear back into many pitchers again ( that fastball isn’t going by him much anymore ).
B-
My worry is that he will lose playing time in 2010, and they will probably rotate him, Lowell, and V-Mart in the DH spot. I love Ortiz, I really do, but I question if management is going to give him any time to get it going next year. If he doesn’t bat in April, they may take the bat out of his hands before he can get his groove. The leash will no doubt be tighter next year; hopefully the pressure won’t overwhelm him.
Ortiz’s future with the Red Sox hinges on this October and Next April. I will be on the edge of my seat rooting for him to get the Nation back on his side. Good luck Ortiz.
And for god sakes, can you bunt just once before the playoffs?
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