David Ortiz (1) (1975–)
Author of Big Papi: My Story of Big Dreams and Big Hits
For other authors named David Ortiz, see the disambiguation page.
About the Author
Image credit: Googie_man
Works by David Ortiz
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Legal name
- Arias, David Américo Ortiz
- Other names
- Big Papi (nickname)
- Birthdate
- 1975-11-18
- Gender
- male
- Occupations
- baseball player
- Organizations
- Minnesota Twins
Boston Red Sox - Awards and honors
- World Series MVP (2013)
- Nationality
- Dominican Republic
- Birthplace
- Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
- Associated Place (for map)
- Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Members
Reviews
I know that David Ortiz is a prodigious slugger, has a big heart, and a potty mouth. From his baseball memoir, I've also learned that he holds a grudge. A bit too much of this book is full of Ortiz's resentments against his manager in Minnesota (and two different managers in Boston), the Red Sox front office, the Boston media, and everyone who suspected him of PED use. Granted he actually is justified in his anger against these people, but it weighs down what is otherwise an insightful book show more about his life in baseball. I particularly enjoy what Ortiz says about how he became a student of the game and studied pitchers while on the bench so that he could become a better hitter. He talks of learning a lot from fellow players, especially Manny Ramirez and Pedro Martinez. And then he passes along that knowledge to younger players from Dustin Pedroia to Andrew Benentendi. Outside baseball, Ortiz reflects on his marriage to his wife Tiffany and how he was contending with their marriage falling apart right around the same time as the magical 2013 series. It's an entertaining book and a must read for fans of Big Papi and the Red Sox, and baseball fans in general.
Favorite Passages:
Favorite Passages:
"I've always been amazed at people who criticize baseball players for showing emotion, especially in playoff games. What do they expect when every move you make is with the game on the line? You're a competitor. You want to be sucessful for your team and your city. You're not supposed to respond when everyone is losing their minds in the stands, to the point where you really can't hear anything?show less
Why not?" - p. 76
"To me, Pedroia is the prototype. I'd never met anyone like him in baseball. It's hard to explain. For example, I love baseball. Love it. But what I saw from Pedroia made it clear to me that his connection to baseball was beyond everyone else's. It was so much more than just love for the game. He was the game. Seriously. Everything that was good and true about baseball was in Dustin Pedroia. He breathed it. He lived it. He'd do anything to play it, to be around it, to talk about it.He was such a force of energy, talent, and humor that it lifted our entire clubhouse." - p. 116
"I believe the Boston media is powerful when it comes to the fans and, in some ways, influential when it comes to the way the team is managed. When the media make a big deal about something, when they create a problem or issue, what are the fans supposed to think? They figure that these people are around the team 24/7, so they must know what they're talking about. But they don't." - p. 151
Co-written with Tony Massarotti of the Boston Herald, "Big Papi" is the autobiography of David Ortiz, all-star slugger for the Boston Red Sox. Written as if Ortiz was talking directly to the reader, the book covers Ortiz's childhood in the Dominican Republic, his career in the minor leagues, his time with the Minnesota Twins, and of course his career with the Boston Red Sox. The book covers some of his achievements such as leading the all-star balloting, breaking Jimmie Foxx's home run show more record, and of course the 2004 playoffs - beating the Yankees and going on to win the World Series. While most of the book is in Ortiz's voice, there are a few chapters written by others that discuss the role Pedro Martinez had in bringing Ortiz to Boston; his friendship with Torii Hunter; and how Theo Epstein was able to bring Ortiz to play for Boston.
"Big Papi" is an interesting look at a talented baseball player. Having the book read as if Ortiz is talking directly to the reader is a nice touch (although the constant use of the word "bro" got to me after a while). The book has many fascinating aspects starting with Ortiz's childhood in the Dominican Republic when he and his friends would use anything they could as baseballs (like the heads off their sisters' dolls). One of the most fascinating aspects of Ortiz's career is that Minnesota released him after they tried to trade him and no other team wanted him. Boston came off looking good by claiming him but it's interesting to read that even they had no idea how good he could be. Other interesting bits in the book include the fact that he likes to wear a bigger uniform because he likes it to be loose and how he trains in the off-season. To his credit Ortiz is honest about admitting his mistakes, including his five game suspension during the 2004 season for throwing bats from the dugout onto the field in protest over an umpire's call. Interestingly enough, while he says he doesn't hate the Yankees he writes far more about beating them in the 2004 playoffs than he does about winning the World Series (which barely gets a full page mention). Although he talks little about his family life for privacy reasons, the brief glimpses into his personal life are interesting. Readers will be moved as he talks about the death of his mother in a car accident. And a story of how he ended up with a line of children and parents at his house on Halloween looking for candy and pictures with him is a fascinating insight into the drawbacks of being famous.
David Ortiz fans will love "Big Papi". show less
"Big Papi" is an interesting look at a talented baseball player. Having the book read as if Ortiz is talking directly to the reader is a nice touch (although the constant use of the word "bro" got to me after a while). The book has many fascinating aspects starting with Ortiz's childhood in the Dominican Republic when he and his friends would use anything they could as baseballs (like the heads off their sisters' dolls). One of the most fascinating aspects of Ortiz's career is that Minnesota released him after they tried to trade him and no other team wanted him. Boston came off looking good by claiming him but it's interesting to read that even they had no idea how good he could be. Other interesting bits in the book include the fact that he likes to wear a bigger uniform because he likes it to be loose and how he trains in the off-season. To his credit Ortiz is honest about admitting his mistakes, including his five game suspension during the 2004 season for throwing bats from the dugout onto the field in protest over an umpire's call. Interestingly enough, while he says he doesn't hate the Yankees he writes far more about beating them in the 2004 playoffs than he does about winning the World Series (which barely gets a full page mention). Although he talks little about his family life for privacy reasons, the brief glimpses into his personal life are interesting. Readers will be moved as he talks about the death of his mother in a car accident. And a story of how he ended up with a line of children and parents at his house on Halloween looking for candy and pictures with him is a fascinating insight into the drawbacks of being famous.
David Ortiz fans will love "Big Papi". show less
Hey, Bro! Here is a conversational book from one of baseball's biggest figures, David Ortiz. Sportswriter Tony Massarotti gets a 'with' on the byline, but it's clearly a lot of Mazzerotti's work. Massarotti presents summaries and scene-settings to add to Big Papi's story of his childhood, life in the minors, and rise to one of the world's most recognizable baseball players. As biographies of current celebrities go, it's interesting. But Massaroti's writing is clearly intended to set Ortiz up show more as a hero figure rather than a more nuetral, objective biographer analysis. Fans of Big Papi and the Red Sox will enjoy this look at Big Papi's life, but it's not a biography with a lot of reach beyond. show less
Big Papi by David Ortiz was overall a very good read. It talked about his baseball career before and during when he played for the Boston Red Sox. David Ortiz “Big Papi” talked very highly of himself throughout the story pointing out all of his achievements rightfully so. While reading this book i picked up on a lot of crazy facts and events that Big Papi went through and how he got his nickname Big Papi. Before playing for the Red Sox he played for the Minnesota minor league team which show more i never knew.
The Author was good at stating exactly what happened because he was in the positions himself. When reading this book I could really feel like I was at the game watching his at bats and seeing him succeed. This book is a good read for all baseball players, fans, and an understandable read for 8th graders. I recommend this book for facts and the life story of David Ortiz. show less
The Author was good at stating exactly what happened because he was in the positions himself. When reading this book I could really feel like I was at the game watching his at bats and seeing him succeed. This book is a good read for all baseball players, fans, and an understandable read for 8th graders. I recommend this book for facts and the life story of David Ortiz. show less
Awards
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Associated Authors
Statistics
- Works
- 2
- Members
- 201
- Popularity
- #109,506
- Rating
- 3.2
- Reviews
- 7
- ISBNs
- 16
- Languages
- 1
