David Ortiz: For Better or Worse 2009

In our continuing series of "For Better or Worse 2009" and community projections, I now give you David Ortiz. To catch up on the rest of the series you may have missed so far, go here. No player will be more closely associated with the modern day success of the Boston Red Sox than David Ortiz. From his post-season heroics to his franchise record setting 54 home runs in 2006, Ortiz has seemingly been the centerpiece of one of the most productive offensive attacks in baseball history. The 2008 season, however, would write a different story. A season robbed by a torn sheath surrounding tendon in his wrist would end without David Ortiz gracing the top five in the American League MVP voting for the first time in five seasons (2003-2007). While the Red Sox "made do" without Ortiz in the lineup at all, and without the David Ortiz fans had come to expect when he was, in 2008, success in the post-Manny Ramirez world of 2009 rides on a return to form for Big Papi. ...