David Ortiz makes it official: he will retire after 2016.
Life is based on different chapters, and I think I'm ready to experience the next one in my life.Amen. ... And Happy Birthday, Big Papi!
I pick this day to announce that next season I'm going to be done with my career playing baseball. I would like people to remember me as a guy that was just part of the family, a guy that was trying to do the best, not only on the field, but with everyone around him. Baseball is not just based on putting up numbers. This is our second family. Whoever is around you on a daily basis is like a second family, and I always had good thoughts for everyone around me. ...
I'm really proud of what I had accomplished through the years. I'm very thankful for having fans like guys who have supported me through my career. I wish I could play another 40 years, so I have you guys behind me, but it doesn't work that way.
After next year, time is up, so let's enjoy next season.
It's still staggering to think that we will only get one more season with Flo as our DH. Secretly I had hoped that he could play a few more years but I suppose that it's better to go out when you are still near the top of your game.
ReplyDeleteOf course, now the question becomes not if Flo will be elected to the Hall of Fame but when. Based on the BB-Ref HoF statistics (first number in parentheses on each line represents all-time rank):
Black Ink Batting - 16 (144) (Avg HOFer ≈ 27)
Gray Ink Batting - 142 (112) (Avg HOFer ≈ 144)
Hall of Fame Monitor Batting - 154 (83) (Likely HOFer ≈ 100)
Hall of Fame Standards Batting - 49 (86) (Avg HOFer ≈ 50)
An argument could be made that he is first-ballot worthy. If you weigh in his postseason career, which includes two series MVPs, that puts him over the top in my book. I'll note here that the only aforementioned statistic that includes postseason experience is the HoF Standards Batting, but only if you are a positional player. He might be awarded a point for three WS appearances as a first baseman, but I'm not really sure.
The only other question is: what will each team give Papi when he visits each ballpark for the last time in 2016? They should be practiced after back-to-back seasons with Fruitbat and CI's retirement tours, respectively.
ReplyDeleteESPN:
ReplyDelete"Only 10 position players in Red Sox history have played past their 40th birthday, and only three have played in as many as 100 games past that age: Yastrzemski, who played 446 games; Williams, 216; and Bing Miller, 109."
I should probably start writing my Thank You, David Ortiz post now.
ReplyDeleteIt may take all season to get it just right.
Allan ,
ReplyDeleteyour Thank You David Ortiz post only has to have a " handful " of words ........
Flo let his Actions speak for themselves & most unforgettably of ALL ....... Mr Floctober ....... did it when it MATTERED ........ NUF CED
Paul
Maybe Ocflober?
ReplyDelete