Who would say such an Orwellian thing?
Well, the president and CEO of the Boston Red Sox, Sam Kennedy, that's who:
"David Ortiz is the most important player to ever wear a Red Sox uniform."
There you go.
First, as I blogged late last year, when the BBWAA ballots officially came out, David Ortiz is NOT a Hall of Famer. Certainly not a first-ballot one. And, it goes beyond whether the roided or not. Park-inflated stats at Fenway is why we have things like OPS+ and WAR. His 141 career OPS+ is good but not great for a 1B/DH type. (Albert Pujols is still at 144 after a much longer career and decline and Miguel Cabrera is at 145.)
Note who's missing? Well, obviously, Teddy Ballgame, Ted Williams, the Kid, the Splinter. Two-time Triple Crown winner. Arguably the best batter who ever played the game of baseball.
Boston legend in so many ways.
Best player to ever wear that uniform.
Who else is being forgotten?
Well, it's not the uni he's most famous for, but?
Babe Ruth.
Others who didn't play only with Boston, but neither did Ortiz?
Pedro Martinez.
Roger Clemens.
Wade Boggs.
Those, at a minimum, rank higher.
Cy Young.
Tris Speaker.
All of them, in my book, are both better and more important. Could probably even slip the likes of a Dwight Evans in there. Maybe even Fred Lynn? That's a maybe because he's behind Papi on WAR, but on importance? He was Rookie of the Year and MVP the same season, and that was WS year 1975.
