I marvel that the Twins ever let him go. Talk about robbing another team blind.

Here's a recent article with some background on Ortiz, including the circumstances that led to his departure from Minnesota:

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/baseball/278347_ortiz21.html?source=mypi

I never knew that he changed his name. Interesting stuff.

When Joe Sheehan (whom I do like) of the Baseball Prospectus came out with his award winners at the break, Ortiz didn't make his top *10* for MVP in the American Leauge. Think about that.

I did offer up some respectful disagreement. Ortiz may not need my help in the long run.

Sports Illustrated and The Sporting News both did Ortiz cover stories about a month ago.

One interesting Ortiz anecdote from the SI story: Ortiz initially was unhappy during his first Boston season because he wasn't playing everyday. He wanted to leave, be traded, even released. Theo had a talk with him and asked him to be patient, he was working on a deal that would clear the runway. A few days later, Shea Hillenbrand was traded to Arizona for Byung-Hyun Kim.

And the rest, well, you know . . .

Me and my sister went to a game at Fenway when Ortiz was still on the Twins. The Twins got off to a fast start in the 1st. With 2 runners on, Ortiz hit a bomb down the right field line. The ball went over the foul pole. We were sitting in the right field corner, somewhere near the foul poul but not close enough to tell if it was a home run or not. The first base umpire, Marty Foster (who I think was relatively new) signaled home run. Immediately everyone in the right field corner stood up and starting booing loudly. Me and my sister couldn't tell if it was a home run or foul ball but we joined in. Jimy Williams came out to argue. The arguing went on for a long time, and the fans were booing/cheering the whole time. The umpires had a conference, then ruled it a foul ball. Ortiz comes flying out of the dugout, and the Twins argue. The fans are going crazy. Ortiz and 1st base coach Gardenhire get ejected (my memory told me it was manager Kelly but this web page says Gardenhire: http://www.s-t.com/daily/08-98/08-16-98/c01sp102.htm) much to the pleasure of the Fenway fans. Another reason why Fenway is the greatest place to watch a baseball game. Little did we know that in a few years Ortiz would become Boston's baseball God.

...come on Sox...

I am still hoping for a 20 year World Series redux, Mets vs. Red Sox

KGJM

Wouldn't that be fun? The storylines write themselves. One final demon for the Sox to exorcise...

If you're a Rounders fan:

"Just walking back in here makes me queasy. I feel like Buckner walking back into Shea."

Hope it happens.