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Red Sox Hoping for David Ortiz Retirement?

By Josh Sippie

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David Ortiz has had a storied life with the Boston Red Sox but his contract is up in 2015 with team options for the 2016 and 17 season. However, being 39 years old and in the midst of the worst season of his career, isn’t it about time for Big Papi to announce his retirement?

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A lot of people tend to think so. David Ortiz is not one of those people.

He said, as reported by CBS Sports: “What can I tell you, man? A lot of people looked at me like that [six] years ago, and here I am still. I don’t have no timetable for [retirement]. I don’t think anybody has it, either. If it happens, who cares, man, I’m just another player that comes in and comes out. Everybody’s time is up at some point. I don’t think that’s my problem, though. I’ll keep on trying like I normally do.”

Most players, when they are on the verge of retiring, especially with a team that they have been with for so long, will announce their retirement early on so they can get a sort of victory tour in their last season. Either David Ortiz doesn’t plan on retiring, or he doesn’t want that victory tour. I think the former is more likely.

Boston Red Sox owner John Henry seemed a bit perturbed about the prospect of David Ortiz’s retirement, stating: “He’s the best hitter I’ve seen for the Red Sox for a long time… Is he getting older? Yes. But I don’t think any of us know [when it ends].” From there, Henry derailed into talking about how the lineup as a whole was having some “terrible” at-bats and in the end, it appears that David Ortiz and his retirement plans may be causing a bit more stress than we’re hearing about.

Big Papi is a 30 HR, 100+ RBI guy. He always has been. His average has dipped at times, but his career average sits respectably at .283. He’s been the face of Boston baseball for years now and he deserves the utmost respect from the Boston Red Sox and from baseball in general.

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However, this season David Ortiz is hitting a minuscule .220 with just 6 home runs and 19 RBIs. It’s still early and he could turn it around, but at 39 years of age, baseball doesn’t come easy anymore.

This could lead to a really testy situation in Boston if the end of the season rolls around and the team is debating over whether or not to pick up the options on David Ortiz. Everyone wants him to retire as a Boston Red Sox player but if it means two more years of him not being able to produce in the lineup, is the respect enough to tide fans over?

Boston fans have tasted success after a century without and they expect it now. If David Ortiz is stinking it up in the middle of the order, he may start to lose face pretty quickly in the city that loves him.

It’s best for all parties involved for Big Papi to call it a career.

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