Getting my groove back
As you can probably tell, I’m feeling a little better at the plate lately. I’ve really been going out of my way to just focus on each at-bat as it comes and not think so much about the big picture.
I just realized the other day that when you’re playing, you don’t think about things so much. But when you sit around, it makes you think about things more. So what I was thinking about is that it’s May 11, and we play all the way until October. I’m one of those guys, where there have been plenty of times that I’ve made my whole season in two months. When I first got here in 2003, I didn’t even start playing every day until the second half of the season and look at what I did that year.
Even last year, I didn’t really start producing until June. I’m just taking things slowly and trying my best to make things happen. I just knew we would start playing better. Just take each day and try to win.
For the team, it’s the same thing. We had a slow start, but you can feel us starting to come around. People get depressed when they see a few games that don’t go how they expect, but we’ll be OK.
To be honest, I feel great right now. I feel the way I like to be right now. I started to feel a difference after the road trip. I started figuring a lot of things out and now you can see the difference. I’m just not playing every day right now, but if I start producing consistently like I can, I’m expecting the playing time will get back to normal.
One thing that has been a lot of fun for me lately is having my 5-year-old son, D’Angelo, at the park with me so much. That’s my life. That’s what I’m all about. Whenever I can have him with me, I take him with me. If he doesn’t have school, I’ll bring him over here to Fenway and teach him how to do the right things.
He loves being around here. He told me straightout, when I wasn’t even expecting it, “Daddy, I love hanging out with you.” That’s how they stay away from trouble. He just watches everything I do.
You see him out there at the batting cage just having a blast. He loves swinging. He will wear people out and just swing all day.
Big Papi's Blog 
It’s so good to see you feeling better at the plate, but it is always heart-warming to see you with kids — your own or your young fans. I agree that you guys will be fine. This is going to end up being a great season all the way around. In the meantime, I (and the rest of us) appreciate having a team of players who handle themselves so beautifully and demonstrate such respect and caring for people in the community. You are a credit to Boston, and to all of Red Sox Nation. Keep up the good work, on and off the field.
P.S. My own daughter is, of course, a huge fan of yours. A few weeks back, she caught a camera shot of you on 2nd. She started jumping up and down; since she follows the game, I assumed she was excited that you were on base…until she started shouting, “Look! Big Papi’s smiling!” Just thought you should hear that…
Man, don’t worry… I can see you guys going better every game. I know you got a lot of pressure from every side, but… what else do you got in daily basis? I don’t care about a “slow start”, once you got there. Doesn’t matter if you got 70 loses in the end and still be in the playoffs. Do what you do best. I trust in every one in the Red Sox rooster. You can make it!
Grettings from Brazil!
I am not a Red Sox fan, but it’s nice to see that you’re feeling better lately, Papi. You have a reputation for being one of the more likeable players in the league, so it’s easy to feel good for you when things go well. It’s like you said: don’t think too much. If you think too much, it takes your focus and perspective off the game. Remember, baseball is a marathon, not a sprint. I’ve always had this theory that 7 at-bats is what makes your season. More often than not, a good hitter will get 2 hits in 7 at-bats (.286 AVG). If a hitter keeps going 2-for-7, then he is only one hot streak away from posting Ichiro-like numbers! Some people get lucky enough to find that groove, and some people get unlucky. Papi, you clearly still have the talent to be a productive Major League hitter. Despite the terribly low AVG you posted last season, you still drove in around 90+ runs! Don’t let the perceptions of the fans or the media bother you. All you can do is continue to go on the field and do your thing. I don’t think you’ll ever be the hitter you used to be (.300 AVG and 40+ HR), but you can still be quite productive. There is only one suggestion I have for you in regards to your swing: I would recommend developing a shorter and more compact swing. I think your bat speed has gone down a bit in the past few years. Ken Griffey Jr. never changed his swing, that is why he struggles now in the twilight of his career. You have the size and strength to drive the ball out of the ballpark; if you were to develop a short and compact explosive swing (like Chase Utley), you might find yourself hitting better than you have in the past few years! It worked for Barry Bonds near the end of his career. Best wishes to you and your loved ones. Have as much fun with the game as you can, because you never know when a playing career comes to an end. I think you have quite a few years left, however. Enjoy it.
Gonna paraphrase an analogy someone brought up that I liked.
[i]”You’re like a battleship, takes awhile to reach full speed.”[/i]
April might have been a slow start for you, but you’re definitely picking up speed. Keep at it and you’ll get there I’m sure.
As they say, it’s not about how you start, but how you finish.
Hi, David,
I know you are a likeable man, but i want you to be a dangerous hitter, a phenomenal hitter. I’ve noticed that your face is tighter in the past week. It shows athleticism. And you are LOOKING like an athlete… slimmer, trimmer. It’s not surprising that your production at the plate is improved. Be the monster hitter, Mr. Ortiz. Be the monster. We need you to be the monster.
patrick
Hey Big Papi, I’m glad to see your confidence growing, keep your head up man, there’s nothing else to it, I saw you rise from obscurity to become one of the greatest Red Sox players ever. And since you’ve done it before, I know you can continue this hot streak for the duration of the season. Its important to keep your head up and keep striving, your heart is big, you are a Boston icon, and there’s nothing more we’d like but to see you succeed. You got all the support from me, I mean, there is nothing more to say Mr. Ortiz, you’re the greatest man, and do not let anyone tell you otherwise. God bless and keep it up! Best wishes, Kedar.
Papi,
You’re the best. Keep your head up. Real Sox fans are with you.
Jason Bay .278 1 hr 16 rbi
Manny Ramirez .358 2 hrs 17 rbi
Prince Fielder .275 6 hrs 17 rbi
Alex Rodriguez .290 5 hrs 31 rbi
Carlos Pena .181 5 hrs 23 rbi
Matt Holliday .289 4 hrs 14 rbi
Mark Texeiera .219 7 hrs 30 rbi (most of this in May)
The numbers speak for themselves. Are these guys washed up also? I would put my money on Big Papi anytime…..and I hope for a few more years to come in a Redsox uniform.
Wow, David, your son D’angelo is very handsome just like his father. Is the D’angelo only child? Thank you for sharing your beautiful son with your fans.
maya
Papi,
It’s so great to see your recent success at the plate. I listen to a lot of sports radio, and it infuriated me in April to hear your critics the whole month. Many fans and members of the media alike apparently forgot that the season lasts for 6 months, not 1 month. Personally, I was never very worried about your performance (you’ve been on my fantasy team the whole season!). You showed up this season looking better than I’ve ever seen you, in terms of your fitness, and it was only a matter of time before you started to hit.
Keep up the good work, you’ve been swining the bat great! And even if you fall into a slump, remember you can still be the Papi of old, and you’ll always come out the other side. You’ll always be considered in that upper echelon of Boston Athletes (with the likes of Bobby Orr, Larry Bird, Tom Brady) who helped lead our teams to glory. I really hope the Red Sox extend your contract in the off season, but if not, I have confidence that you’ll take your classy demeanor and winning attitude with you wherever you go
Best of luck to you the rest of the season, and GO RED SOX!
-Ryan
Its about time !!! But guess its better late than never !! Big Papi, well he had a lot of catching up to do and I’m so proud to see he is finally back in the game… um well earning his Big Papi paycheck .. for real man !!!
Hola Pappi.. esta Gringo Viejo…. Diga mi amigo…
que siguen siendo demasiado selectivo a la hora de bateo .. le parece ver a cabo lanzamientos en lugar de movimientos de balanceo. Utilice su talento amigo .. swing!
no dormir más en el plato … utilizar ese talento que Dios te dio … no tenga miedo de swing!
Manny dice chollo para volver a Los Ángeles para 0 e 4 at bats.
Buena suerte….
Hello! The burning hot summer arrived, this is the demonstration stature good season,
the retreat winter sincere appearance, lets lithe, the individuality, the fashion,
the sex appeal, mature you start from here! Has a good news to tell everybody: Recently,
every bought full 200 US dollars in this company, then has the present to see off,
Vietnam which buys delivers are more, please do not miss this good opportunity!!!
We accept paypal payments, and delivery is free.
===== http://www.bizboysell.com ====
Air jordan(1-24)shoes $33
Handbags(Coach l v f e n d i d&g) $35
Tshirts (ed hardy,lacoste) $16
Jean(True Religion,ed hardy,coogi) $30
Sunglasses(Oakey,coach,gucci,A r m a i n i) $16
New era cap $15
Bikini (Ed hardy) $25
FREE sHIPPING
====== http://www.bizboysell.com ====
? ??
??????????..??? ? ?? …./
??????????????????????
?????????????????????
????????????????????????
Hello! The burning hot summer arrived, this is the demonstration stature good season,
the retreat winter sincere appearance, lets lithe, the individuality, the fashion,
the sex appeal, mature you start from here! Has a good news to tell everybody: Recently,
every bought full 200 US dollars in this company, then has the present to see off,
Vietnam which buys delivers are more, please do not miss this good opportunity!!!
We accept paypal payments, and delivery is free.
===== http://www.bizboysell.com ====
Air jordan(1-24)shoes $33
Handbags(Coach l v f e n d i d&g) $35
Tshirts (ed hardy,lacoste) $16
Jean(True Religion,ed hardy,coogi) $30
Sunglasses(Oakey,coach,gucci,A r m a i n i) $16
New era cap $15
Bikini (Ed hardy) $25
FREE sHIPPING
====== http://www.bizboysell.com ====
? ??
??????????..??? ? ?? …./
??????????????????????
?????????????????????
????????????????????????
Hello! The burning hot summer arrived, this is the demonstration stature good season,
the retreat winter sincere appearance, lets lithe, the individuality, the fashion,
the sex appeal, mature you start from here! Has a good news to tell everybody: Recently,
every bought full 200 US dollars in this company, then has the present to see off,
Vietnam which buys delivers are more, please do not miss this good opportunity!!!
We accept paypal payments, and delivery is free.
===== http://www.bizboysell.com ====
Air jordan(1-24)shoes $33
Handbags(Coach l v f e n d i d&g) $35
Tshirts (ed hardy,lacoste) $16
Jean(True Religion,ed hardy,coogi) $30
Sunglasses(Oakey,coach,gucci,A r m a i n i) $16
New era cap $15
Bikini (Ed hardy) $25
FREE sHIPPING
====== http://www.bizboysell.com ====
? ??
??????????..??? ? ?? …./
??????????????????????
?????????????????????
????????????????????????
Hello! The burning hot summer arrived, this is the demonstration stature good season,
the retreat winter sincere appearance, lets lithe, the individuality, the fashion,
the sex appeal, mature you start from here! Has a good news to tell everybody: Recently,
every bought full 200 US dollars in this company, then has the present to see off,
Vietnam which buys delivers are more, please do not miss this good opportunity!!!
We accept paypal payments, and delivery is free.
===== http://www.bizboysell.com ====
Air jordan(1-24)shoes $33
Handbags(Coach l v f e n d i d&g) $35
Tshirts (ed hardy,lacoste) $16
Jean(True Religion,ed hardy,coogi) $30
Sunglasses(Oakey,coach,gucci,A r m a i n i) $16
New era cap $15
Bikini (Ed hardy) $25
FREE sHIPPING
====== http://www.bizboysell.com ====
? ??
??????????..??? ? ?? …./
??????????????????????
?????????????????????
????????????????????????
Hello! The burning hot summer arrived, this is the demonstration stature good season,
the retreat winter sincere appearance, lets lithe, the individuality, the fashion,
the sex appeal, mature you start from here! Has a good news to tell everybody: Recently,
every bought full 200 US dollars in this company, then has the present to see off,
Vietnam which buys delivers are more, please do not miss this good opportunity!!!
We accept paypal payments, and delivery is free.
===== http://www.bizboysell.com ====
Air jordan(1-24)shoes $33
Handbags(Coach l v f e n d i d&g) $35
Tshirts (ed hardy,lacoste) $16
Jean(True Religion,ed hardy,coogi) $30
Sunglasses(Oakey,coach,gucci,A r m a i n i) $16
New era cap $15
Bikini (Ed hardy) $25
FREE sHIPPING
====== http://www.bizboysell.com ====
? ??
??????????..??? ? ?? …./
??????????????????????
?????????????????????
????????????????????????