Editor’s note: NESN.com is going to tell the story of the 2012 Red Sox in Bobby Valentine’s words. Each game day, we will select the best Valentine quote that sums up the day for the Red Sox.
A few weeks ago, as Josh Hamilton was in the midst of an epic stretch with 18 home runs in the Rangers first 34 games it seemed almost inevitable that he would take home the AL MVP trophy come season’s end. But nearly a month later, and a familiar name could well be creeping into the conversation.
David Ortiz has been the most consistent bat in the Red Sox lineup this season, and he just continues to mash at an almost historic pace. Ortiz blasted a grand slam in the bottom of the fourth inning on Wednesday night, giving Boston a very comfortable 11-4 lead and continuing his recent hot streak.
The 36-year-old DH has now hit safely in six straight games, a streak that includes four home runs — one in each of the past three games — and a grand total of 11 RBIs of the stretch. The recent surge has Ortiz batting average back up to .313 on the season, which ranks fifth in the American League, and among the league leaders with 18 home runs (sixth) and 49 RBIs (fifth).
Manager Bobby Valentine expressed his praise of Ortiz after the Sox 15-5 win on Wednesday, even making some inclinations that Ortiz would be more prevalent in MVP talks if the team had a better record (35-33).
“He’s the guy,” Valentine exclaimed about Ortiz. “If we were in first place, he’d be the guy everyone would be talking about.”
Papi’s dominance over the course of the first 68 games of the season has been important in keeping an injury-plagued Boston lineup near the top of the league in most offensive categories. But even more significant has been his presence as a leader in the Red Sox clubhouse.
And following a 1-7 stretch to kickoff the month of June, Ortiz was yet again the one leading the rallying cry and the team has responded with their current 6-1 streak.
It’s been Ortiz that has steadied the sluggish Boston offense in recent days — see: the aforementioned stats — but he’s also been the one leading the team through rough patches all season.
Valentine again remarked on Ortiz’ impressive run, crediting the DH’s presence as the figurative glue that has held the Red Sox together.
“He’s been so consistently excellent the entire year,” Valentine said. “It’s so difficult to be excellent and consistent. Day-in and day-out he’s brought it.”
While Hamilton may still be the one leading from a statistical stand point — with a .331 average, 22 home runs and a league-leading 64 RBIs — Ortiz’ importance to the Red Sox has far outweighed that of just about any player in MLB.
It’s not just the impressive stats that should have Ortiz atop the ballots of MVP voters, though. Rather it’s his continued and unwavering leadership both on and off the field that should matter most.
There are many players across the league that are important for their team’s success, but without Ortiz steadying the lineup and the so-called “toxic” environment in Boston then the Red Sox would most likely be playing well under .500 baseball and readying for the biggest fire sale in recent memory.
Ortiz may not lead the MVP conversation just yet — and God knows it’s too early to be forecasting anyhow — but he most certainly deserves to be there.
