David Ortiz makes me feel like a kid again. Why? Because he fills me with hope every time he steps to the plate. And what does that make him? A hero? And hero is something I haven't known since I was a child.
David Ortiz is an unstoppable force. When he steps to the plate with the game on the line, Boston Red Sox fans know that, more likely than not, he is going to win the game with a big hit. It might be a home run. It might be a game ending single. No matter.
The game will be on the line. Two outs. The terrified pitcher sees Ortiz step to the plate. He looks and sees Manny Ramirez on deck, weaiting for his turn at the plate, and the pitcher knows he has to make a stand against Ortiz or the floodgates will probably fly open. So he throws the best pitches he can wring out of his arm. And maybe he gets two strikes on Ortiz. Doesn't matter. Ortiz is just getting warmed up. With two strikes, Ortiz pokes a ball to centerfield. The outfielders stop chasing the ball. They realize the game is already over. The runner on base is already crossing home, and Ortiz has flipped his helmet, ready to celebrate.
This was the scene that unfolded before me Monday night while I sweated away at the gym with the tv on the Sox game. The game looked lost, but Ortiz changed fate.
Ortiz has been doing this for a few years now, and it doesn't get old. It's hard to get excited about every game of the 162-game season, but whenever Ortiz comes to the plate in late inning situation with the game tied or the Sox behind, even the most jaded fan is giddy with excitement. Is there anyone in Boston who doesn't have trouble containing himself when this situation comes up. Ortiz is on a history run of clutch hitting, going back to the 2004 World Series run.
He redeemed us then, and he's keeping the dream alive now. Let the good times role on.
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