It’s past time for the national pastime to make a radical statement. David Ortiz, MVP.
It’s past time for the national pastime to acknowledge the American League lineup’s illegitimate son. David Ortiz, MVP.
It’s past time for the national pastime to get over itself and recognize the value of clutch. Ortiz, MVP.
Last year, I advanced this argument, promoting the designated hitter for the award over eventual winner Alex Rodriguez. Readers responded with a resounding no, recommending a Joe Sakic slap shot in the teeth, clothesline tackles from Al Wilson and a lifetime supply of aluminum foil to chew.
With two months remaining in the season, Ortiz’s candidacy has more legs than a ZZ Top video. Really, what else does this guy have to do to be considered for the league’s top honor?
He leads the league in home runs (39) and RBIs (108). And he’s bereft of scandal, his body puffy from eating, not lifting. Ortiz is a winner, and maybe we should just leave it at that.
According to Elias Sports Bureau, Ortiz has come up to the plate in 19 walk-off situations beginning with the 2004 postseason. He has reached base 16 times, going 11-for-14 with seven home runs. Think on that for a minute.
Try doing that on Xbox, let alone in the batter’s box against Mariano Rivera. That’s the genius of Ortiz, what separates him from the field. He does things that are inexplicable. How can you not favor him over Vernon Wells, Derek Jeter, Magglio Ordoñez, Jim Thome or Joe Mauer?
Sure, Ortiz doesn’t wear a glove. But as stated before, Ortiz helps his team more by not manning first base than Frank Thomas, Jason Giambi and Mo Vaughn did by playing the position.
Earlier this season, Rodriguez compared Big Papi to Magic Johnson because of his magnetic presence. Michael Jordan is more accurate since Papi continues to make the last shot even when everyone knows he’s going to take it.
David Ortiz, MVP.
Rockies still looking for CF help
Just because the trading deadline passed doesn’t mean the Rockies have given up on landing a veteran outfielder who can serve as a calming influence in a division race.
They continue to make waiver-wire claims, hoping to snare a player near the end of the month. And no, they weren’t the team on Friday that was negotiating for Andruw Jones. The Rockies need more production from center field, where Choo Freeman and Cory Sullivan have combined for two home runs and 29 RBIs.
Waiver-wire transactions are tricky, claims awarded to the teams with the worst record if multiple clubs are involved. Even then, a team doesn’t have to work out a trade and can simply revoke the waivers. As teams fall out of the playoff races, they are more willing to strike a deal.
Footnotes
The Ice Cream Man Cometh. Cory Lidle, ripped by former teammate Arthur Rhodes for enjoying soft serve and not conditioning, provided the Yankees with a sweet treat Thursday. He was their first fifth starter to win a game since May 6….Rockies general manager Dan O’Dowd didn’t make it an issue, but a year later he could be viewed as the winner in the Shawn Chacon deal. Rookie reliever Ramon Ramirez, the only player remaining from the trade, has a 2.91 ERA while averaging a strikeout per inning. Chacon is making $3.1 million this season. Byung-Hyun Kim and Josh Fogg, the Rockies’ fourth and fifth starters, are making a combined $2.1 million and have combined for 14 wins….The Tigers’ Justin Verlander isn’t flirting with history. He’s sending bouquets and Hallmark text messages. Verlander (14-4, 2.79 ERA) is threatening to become the first rookie since 1911 to lead baseball in victories….Here’s insight on why the Dodgers made trades for Greg Maddux and Julio Lugo. The Dodgers were 9-17 in July. The Angels were 17-9. Just as in New York, the battle for headlines is just as important as the victories… Team officials have said privately that the elbow pain that caused Francisco Liriano to miss his previous start is minor. However, his use over the final two months will be curtailed if Minnesota falls out of the wild-card race. … Jason Varitek’s anticipated three-week absence figures to hurt the pitching staff more than
the lineup. Varitek goes to great lengths when doing game-planning for an opponent. It’s hard to imagine Javy Lopez developing that kind of trust quickly. … Kerry Wood, 29, opted against shoulder surgery and plans to return next season as a reliever….One rival executive predicted Brett Tomko will be closing games for the Dodgers in September. … Focus on the Family was dropped from the Atlanta Braves’ remaining two “Faith Days” today and Aug. 26. The Braves called it a business decision, though the group’s criticism of new owners Liberty Media can’t be dismissed as a possible reason. … A summary of how the Orioles have become the MLB’s version of the Raiders. The year in review: Rafael Palmeiro tests positives for steroids, accuses Miguel Tejada of providing spoiled B-12 injections, leading players to admit they shot up Tejada with B-12, then Jason Grimsley alleges Orioles used amphetamines, capped by David Segui claiming the team knew he was using HGH. Happy anniversary, Raffy….White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen benched shortstop Juan Uribe last week for displaying bad body language after errors. Uribe has backslid since playing a huge role in the Sox championship….The Diamondbacks exercised caution with Brandon Webb, skipping Saturday’s start. GM Josh Byrnes considers Webb the NL Cy Young Award front-runner. If Webb is out for an extended period, Arizona’s shot at winning the division will vanish. … Eric Young, designated for assignment by
the Padres, knew when he hit his home run last week at Coors Field it might be his last, thus the elaborate bat flip. It would serve as a perfect bookend given he hit the first and most memorable home run in Rockies’ history.
Troy E. Renck can be reached at 303-820-5457 or trenck@denverpost.com.
