Papi

This guy…

…lives here now.

Hall of Fame

✅ All-time DH leader in HR and RBI
✅ 10x All-Star
✅ 3x World Series Champion
✅ 2013 World Series MVP
✅ 7x Silver Slugger Award Winner
✅ Holds @RedSox single-season HR record (54)
✅ Hall of Famer

Congrats, Big Papi! pic.twitter.com/TU4cYkd8Mn
— MLB (@MLB) January 25, 2022

David Ortiz is a first ballot Hall of Famer. He was the greatest post season performer I’ve ever had the pleasure of watching. He was the best clutch hitter, period.

I’m still conflicted though. I’m one of those miserable assholes who wants steroid users kept out of the hall. Ortiz never tested positive, but a year before the testing officially went into effect they tested the testing process. A few years later the names of the players who tested positive during the test leaked and his name was on it.

Is that enough? I’ve been asking myself that question for five years and now that the moment of truth has arrived I think I’m okay with it. If that makes me a hypocrite then I guess I’m a hypocrite.

It’s not me being a Red Sox homer though. I’m 100% against Roger Clemens getting in and no one rooted for him more than I did when he played for the Red Sox. I was also one of those miserable old pricks who was seriously hoping he’d come back for one year to end his career with us.

Speaking of Roger, he, Bonds, and Sosa, steroids users all, failed to get in on their 10th try which means they are off the ballot. There are still a couple of ways for them to get in, but for now at least they are out. I’m fine with that.

The important thing though is that David Ortiz is a Hall of Famer. Congratulations, Big Papi.

Big Papi

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fFkPe-3Q78

500 Home Runs

David Ortiz hit his 500th career home run last night. Finally, something in this dreadful season for Red Sox fans to celebrate.

Remember when 500 home runs made you a lock for the hall of fame? I do. Then steroids happened. Thanks a ton, steroids.

I want Papi in the hall of fame, I honestly do. There is just so much working against him. The steroid link alone will keep him out, at least for a while. There is also his position. Despite the 500 home runs and three championships, he’s a designated hitter and no one takes that seriously. Even without that steroid test he still probably would not have made it in.

Regardless of what happens after he retires, he is the best clutch hitter I’ve ever seen with arguably the best post season resume in baseball history. Congratulations to David Ortiz on reaching such a huge milestone.

Papi

Today is a special day for hockey fans. There are four playoff games, all of which have different start times, all of which are nationally broadcast.

I turned on the tube to watch the first game, New York and Philly, and the cable was already on NESN. As soon as the TV picture came in I see Big Papi, David Ortiz, drill a line drive into the right field seats! AWESOME!

It was after he crossed home plate that I realized it was a reply of yesterday’s game. I am such a tool.

So I switch it over to hockey just in time to see Philly score. It’s 2-1 Rangers. I have some pretty decent timing today, even if in one case I was a day late.

My 2012 in Pictures – Part Deux

Yeah, I did a my-year-in-pictures thing the other day. It was fun. What the hell, thought I, why not do it again? This time I’ll run fast and loose with the whole one-pic-from-each-month thing. I’m crazy like that.

We have to get our pics of the Sands Bridge in Methuen before she collapses. Or maybe I should say before she finishes collapsing. It’s already started. Also, I don’t think I found a relative in the Grove Street Cemetery, but who knows?

In February I finally finished an RPM Challenge on time. It only took me five tries. We also got a new bed. Jen’s penguin approved.

In March, the kids and I became wilderness explorers. Hipstamatic came along for the ride. Actually, we just wandered around in the woods behind our house for a little while. It was fun.

April in San Diego. I want to go back RIGHT NOW!

May gave us baseball, Bar Harbor, and my first up close New England Lighthouse.

The picture pickin’s are slim in June, but we did get a new Rush album (and it is awesome) and we got another fantastic piano recital from the kids.

July offers more choices after a spontaneous trip to Boston, and a week long stay in Maine that included some time in the mountains of New Hampshire.

In August we went to the Top of the Hub for the first time in my life. The views of my city were spectacular. We also spent some twilight time on Hampton Beach.