BOSTON, MA - CIRCA 1978: Carl Yastrzemski #8 of the Boston Red Sox swings and watches the flight of his ball against the Baltimore Orioles during an Major League Baseball game circa 1978 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. Yastrzemski Played for the Red Sox from 1961-83. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
Boston Red Sox: The 4 players who are on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
Sep 20, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz (34) hits a home run in the seventh inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Boston Red Sox: David Ortiz belongs on the franchise Mount Rushmore
Martinez was a big piece of the 2004 Red Sox, but the case can be made that without David Ortiz, there may be no championship or memorable run.
The Minnesota Twins gave up on their young left-handed slugger and allowed him to become a free agent in 2003 and the rest is history they say in Boston. The Red Sox signed him and it turned out to be one of the biggest signings of a free agent in franchise history.
Known as “Big Papi,” there was no player that had a knack for coming up with the big hit when his team needed it. During his time with the Red Sox, Ortiz had 483 home runs and had a mind-blowing World Series slash line of .455/.576/.795 in 14 games. He was one of the most feared hitters of his time and along with Manny Ramirez, they formed a duo that was worth watching every pitch.
Yes, PED use surrounded him in 2009 when he tested positive for steroids, but that did not stop him from coming up with clutch hits. In 14 seasons in Boston, he hit 30 or more home runs 10 times, including a career-high 54 in 2006. One of his more iconic hits came in Game 2 of the 2013 ALCS against the Tigers. He belted a grand slam in the bottom of the eighth inning off Joaquin Benoit to help his team win the game and they went on to win the series and eventually their third title of his time in Boston. Also up there is his Game 4 walk-off homer against the Yankees in 2004 that extended the series and began the historic comeback against their rivals.
There were no players in the history of the Red Sox who had the clutch gene more than Ortiz. Like Martinez, there is no 2004 Cinderella playoff run without Ortiz. In fact, there may not be three championships during his time in Boston without Ortiz. His free agency turned out to be franchise-altering during his Hall of Fame time with the organization.
There are plenty of other former members of the Red Sox would you can make a claim deserve to be on the Mount Rushmore of players. These four, however, have a special place in Red Sox history forever.
