On January 22, 2003, the Boston Purple Sox signed a free agent who had been launched by the Minnesota Twins the earlier December. On the time, the signing didn’t precisely transfer the needle. Talking in regards to the transfer then-Normal Supervisor Theo Epstein famous that attributable to accidents, the brand new acquisition had not reached his ceiling of changing into an on a regular basis participant.
One thing that Epstein hoped he might develop into in Boston. “You’re a participant who will be an affect center of the lineup bat. An on a regular basis participant,” mentioned Epstein on the time. “That’s his ceiling and we hope he reaches it with us.”
That participant? David Ortiz, who reached that and extra with the Purple Sox, changing into the guts and soul of a franchise that might go on to win three World Collection titles throughout his time of their lineup. Amongst his many accolades acquired over time? A visit to Cooperstown as a member of the Baseball Corridor of Fame, as he was inducted on his first strive again in 2022.
Over 21 years later, the Purple Sox are including one other Ortiz to the group, Ortiz’s son D’Angelo Ortiz. Boston drafted the youthful Ortiz within the nineteenth spherical of the MLB Draft on Tuesday, who just lately performed for Miami Dade Faculty. Over 48 video games Ortiz slashed .328/.431/.374 with one house run and 38 RBI. He additionally performed for 2 campaigns with the Brockton Rox of the Future Collegiate Baseball League.
Whereas his father was most identified for what he did as a delegated hitter, the youthful Ortiz is a flexible participant who has seen time at third base and within the outfield.
