Big Papi Pops One Out of the Park

That's what David Ortiz told reporters after he was benched by manager Terry Francona last week.

He came back 2 games ago vs. the Blue Jays, but failed to hit a home run yet again. Boston fans began trade rumors.

His homers were halted for 149 at-bats, but Ortiz beamed and clapped triumphantly as he rounded the bases for the first time since September 22, 2008.

Though Jason Varitek, Jason Bay, and Mike Lowell all homered in the same 5^th-inning onslaught, Ortiz's homer rightfully drew a raucous reaction from the Fenway faithful. Kevin Youkilis and Dustin Pedroia embraced Ortiz as Boston fans roared.

Perhaps the embrace that meant the most to Ortiz, however, came from Francona. It was as if the home run was an apology for failing to deliver, and the embrace was Francona's acceptance.

The home run came off of a left-handed pitcher, and went to nearly the hardest part of the park to hit one - just left of center field.

David Ortiz has been known to go on tears when he's confident. Still, it remains to be seen whether Big Papi has found his swagger or if this was merely a one-off home run in a down season for the man who has hit 232 deep ones in his career with the Boston Red Sox. But this one, for sure, was the sweetest one Ortiz has hit for quite some time.

Sources:

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=3748