How Ortiz Became A Slugging Star
Many see Ortiz’s final 2003 statistics and assume that Ortiz was a star from Day 1 with Boston and a starter for that club from the word “play ball” on opening day. That couldn’t be farther from the case. No, this will not address any “magic eye drops” or anything like that. Acknowledged that a positive test happened, but the positive test was actually from before he ever took off as the star he became, so let’s examine more what was behind what happened.
Ortiz was signed as a left-handed power bat to come off the bench and give starting DH Jeremy Giambi (not Jason Giambi, his younger brother) a day off now and then. Ortiz started off the season rough, hitting .200 as of May 1 in the 2003 season. He was putting in incredible time with Red Sox hitting coach Ron Jackson, however, and Jackson saw something in Ortiz’s swing that he had also seen in Trot Nixon‘s swing that allowed Ortiz to take things to the next level.
Ortiz was a line-drive hitter with a powerful swing behind his massive frame, but a very even, level swing with his hands finishing level. Jackson had him watch video of Mo Vaughn and talked with him about finishing his swing with his hand level high. They worked endless hours in the cage, and the result was the swing we all know and love. Look below for comparisons of Ortiz as a Twin and as a Red Sox hitter to compare the swings. His bat took off, and by the end of the season, he was a top-5 finisher in the AL MVP voting.
Oh, and if anyone thinks he won’t be retiring after the season he’s having, you should watch him attempt to walk each day. He is barely able to move every day when he gets to the park due to issues with his feet. He’s had a great career, and he’s a great example of a free agent find turning into a big win for the team.