MLB - Sports Rumors

Wed May 13, 2009 8:58 am EDT

Struggling Big Papi gets support from around MLB

By Joe Zedalis

As David Ortiz(notes) continues to struggle, support is coming in the form of text messages from players all around Major League Baseball and not just his Boston Red Sox teammates, according to a report in the Boston Globe.

The Globe reported that when Ortiz checked his phone after Sunday night's game, he found "50 to 70 messages, text messages," from players around the league.
They came from Ryan Howard(notes) in Philadelphia and Carlos Delgado(notes) and Alex Cora(notes) in New York, among others. The messages all had the same tone: Don't give up.

"Everybody," Ortiz said. "Just telling me, you know how good you are and how good you can be. Things aren't always going to be flowers and roses. We learn from our mistakes and what doesn't break you makes you stronger. So don't listen to any of the crap that people have to say. You've done a whole bunch of things to get it done, and you're going to get it done again.''

Ortiz, who went 0 for 3 in last night's 4-3 victory over the Angels, has gone 133 at-bats (dating to Sept. 22) without a homer, the second-longest stretch of his career. The longest, 145 at-bats, came from Sept. 9, 1998 to June 9, 2000, with the Twins.

Source: Boston.comNew Window

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186 Comments

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  1. str A's hooter
    1. Posted by str A's hooter Wed May 13, 2009 9:05 am EDT

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    Verbal support goes only so far. There is something physically wrong with Ortiz. He is just the shadow of the hitter he use to be.
  2. His Name is Robert Paulson
    2. Posted by His Name is Robert Paulson Wed May 13, 2009 9:08 am EDT

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    Common papi....u can do it!!
  3. Meanmachine
    3. Posted by Meanmachine Wed May 13, 2009 9:09 am EDT

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    The fact is that it all went south for him when Manny left............................
  4. davfied
    4. Posted by davfied Wed May 13, 2009 9:12 am EDT

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    #
    tito (eight and oh)
    10. Posted by tito (eight and oh) Wed May 13, 2009 8:51 am EDT
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    Just one more thing to add to the list of excuses...
    Touche, again. I hope he gets through this. He is one of the good guys in baseball no matter if his name is or isn't on the list.
  5. BronxFinest.............
    5. Posted by BronxFinest............. Wed May 13, 2009 9:22 am EDT

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    u need steroid papi
  6. Daniel C
    6. Posted by Daniel C Wed May 13, 2009 9:26 am EDT

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    Funny how your skills go back to what they were BEFORE you started using steroids.
  7. tito (eight and oh)
    7. Posted by tito (eight and oh) Wed May 13, 2009 9:26 am EDT

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    Dav - Haha, I think you're missing the real point if my post there...both of our teams have an above average number of injuries, to above average players in our lineup. But only one of our teams is a game out of first. We need not excuses, while you cling to yours like a child does its favorite blankee.
  8. tito (eight and oh)
    8. Posted by tito (eight and oh) Wed May 13, 2009 9:27 am EDT

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    oh yea...
    I BELIEVE DAVID!
  9. mr john w
    9. Posted by mr john w Wed May 13, 2009 9:34 am EDT

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    quit the stupid spitting and slapping your hands before every pitch, and start running and getting your fat A** in shape would help. You are a joke right now.
  10. Jason R
    10. Posted by Jason R Wed May 13, 2009 9:40 am EDT

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    At least he didn't take steroids like the other mooks out there--he is the Jon Kruk of this decade
  11. Jo Bangles
    11. Posted by Jo Bangles Wed May 13, 2009 9:41 am EDT

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    Remember when the White Sox tried to invoke a diminished skills clause that Frank Thomas had in his contract? I think they eventually gave up the fight as Thomas made somewhat of a comeback, and I've never heard of a player with such a clause in his contract since. Too bad the Red Sox couldn't have worked that out with Ortiz. How much longer are they saddled with him, anyway?
  12. tzj20874
    12. Posted by tzj20874 Wed May 13, 2009 9:44 am EDT

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    I wonder if Papi has seen an eye doctor. Age does impact vision. Watching him hit, he seems to be late on his swing. Could be age, being out of shape, but it could also just be that his eyes need an adjustment and right now he has to wait a split second longer to see the pitch.
    Just a thought.
    I don't think his issues are 'roids related. I also don't think they are that closely related to Mannys' departure (although there is something to that)
  13. jake w
    13. Posted by jake w Wed May 13, 2009 9:45 am EDT

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    I THINK EVERY SINGLE PERSON WHO IS A SOX FAN CAN SAY WITHOUT RESERVATION THAT THIS TEAM WOULD never HAVE 2 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS WITHOUT DAVIDS GREAT HITTING. He is getting to an age that things are a bit more difficult, not so fluid and just a little harder. His injury has not helped one bit. My deepest thanks to you David for being the Franchise when we needed you most. Work out the kinks and lets get focused on the future. You can still play so just relax and let it happen.
  14. tito (eight and oh)
    14. Posted by tito (eight and oh) Wed May 13, 2009 9:47 am EDT

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    Just curious if anyone has ever seen anything like this before?
    Ortiz is really REALLY struggling at the plate, and yet Sox fans aren't getting on him, personally (and shockingly) I'm not that concerned about it. Players from all around the league are rooting for him to succeed, I've really not seen a situation like this before.
    I mean just look at Tex in NY. He's struggling and getting booed every other at bat when he's home, and he's hit a couple HR's...
  15. jake w
    15. Posted by jake w Wed May 13, 2009 9:53 am EDT

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    History teaches us even the greatest hitter of his time(Babe Ruth) was set upon like wild dogs when his skill set dimmenished. He was a source of scorn and ranting, I hope that the Boston fans are not like that give a great warrior his due measure of respect. The greatest clutch hitter in Boston Red Sox history....WOW what a great bunch of ball players have played here.......Take a moment and settle down the banter- let the man make adjustments like we all do when we get along in our own lives youth is fleeting and wasted on the very young...
  16. jake w
    16. Posted by jake w Wed May 13, 2009 9:57 am EDT

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    Jim Rice actually had a swift loss of his abilities when he approached his age. He had eye sight issues trouble getting around and making contact--Jim Rice is in the Hall of Fame..So just let him work it out.
  17. james b.
    17. Posted by james b. Wed May 13, 2009 10:02 am EDT

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    Probably the juice or lack thereof. I love Ortiz but there's something missing ever since Manny left town.
  18. NoYankeeFan
    18. Posted by NoYankeeFan Wed May 13, 2009 10:06 am EDT

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    Every dog has its day...Papi HAD his. The Sox will keep him in the lineup as long as the team injuries persist, but after that, he's gonna ride the bench.
  19. Ted Williams
    19. Posted by Ted Williams Wed May 13, 2009 10:10 am EDT

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    In response to tito (post #14):
    Here are four reasons why Ortiz is still getting support from Sox fans and players around the league, and why Teixeira is getting booed:
    1) Ortiz is a genuinely nice guy (not to say Teixeira isn't but Ortiz is outgoing and friendly to everyone whereas Teixeira seems much more reserved);
    2) Ortiz is not making $20 million a year;
    3) Ortiz has helped lead his team to 2 World Series titles; and
    4) No, Ortiz hasn't hit any homers yet, but at least he's hitting above .200.
  20. Fick
    20. Posted by Fick Wed May 13, 2009 10:11 am EDT

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    u guys are idiots if u think ortiz is on steroids. #6 Daniel, you dont get more "skills" by taking steroids u moron...the only thing steroids does is help u recover faster from working out and keep ur stamina up so u can work out longer...it doesnt make your hands quick through the zone and it doesnt help your hand eye coordination...steroids dont just make u good at baseball...his problem is that pitchers have made an adjustment and have started jamming him inside...he needs to make an adjustment back and back off the plate a little
  21. Wilfork wont spoon
    21. Posted by Wilfork wont spoon Wed May 13, 2009 10:15 am EDT

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    He needs to have a heart to heart with Jim Rice. Get some Lasik
  22. ontherockz72
    22. Posted by ontherockz72 Wed May 13, 2009 10:25 am EDT

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    Fans at Fenway aren't the same anymore.
    I love Fenway, always will. I love what the new owners have done with the park.
    Unfortunately, with all this recent Fenway hype and Sox success, the FairWeather Fans have taken over the park. It has become a tourist attraction.
    I was in the stands back in the 80's when Jim Rice ( my all-time favorite ) hit his decline. The Fenway crowd booed him relentlessly with every DP ball he hit.
    Maybe this is a good thing for Ortiz because he does deserve a lot of respect. Hopefully, not hearing a lot of boos will bring him out of it.
    Ortiz, Millar & Jeremy Giambi all joined the Sox the same spring. Who would have thought Ortiz would have accomplished what he has since '03?
  23. jd 1
    23. Posted by jd 1 Wed May 13, 2009 10:32 am EDT

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    19, how do you know Tex is not getting support from other players? I suspect he is getting plenty from his teamates, both present and former. Manny helped the Sox win two WS, will he get support in Boston outside of Papi? Finally Tex gets booed in Balt because he didn't sign with them, and in Boston and LA as well. He gets booed in NY, just like every player that doesn't perform. Thats the way its supposed to be, no false feelings. In Boston they don't boo, they just sigh and mumble.
  24. Football Goddess
    24. Posted by Football Goddess Wed May 13, 2009 10:34 am EDT

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    Maybe we're not worried becasue the team is doing well without him hitting well. At least it keeps the pressure off him to some extent.
  25. Antigua108
    25. Posted by Antigua108 Wed May 13, 2009 10:35 am EDT

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    Ortiz will start hitting home runs again when he starts back on the same stuff the Manny was on... It's not a mystery, those Red sox... I believe a lot of them were juicing... I was wondering how long it would take before somebody let the cat out of the bag... I hope Manny gets all Conseco on them and write a book. ahhh has someone write a book for him...

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