Sox Honor Ortiz, Lose Home Field
On Sunday at roughly 6:25 pm EST, David Ortiz took his final regular season swing at Fenway Park. Down a run in the bottom for the ninth, Ortiz hit a short dribbler that went no further than 10 feet from home plate, an easy out for Blue Jays catcher Russell Martin.
This swing wrapped up a day of celebration and remembrance for Ortiz. Everyone from political figures to former championship teammates to family members gathered to honor the three time World Series champion. But after nearly an hour long pregame ceremony, which included a performance by hip-hop star Mary J. Blige, there was a game to be played, an important game to be played.
Toronto held a one game lead in the American League Wild Card and would clinch a playoff spot with a win. With Cleveland beating Kansas City earlier in the day, Boston needed a win to keep pace in the race for home field advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
With a 2–1 Blue Jays win, Toronto will host Baltimore on Tuesday in the Wild Card game and the Red Sox will travel to Cleveland for a Thursday series start against the Indians.
Rick Porcello, Boston’s game one starter, has been lethal at home this year, tallying a 13–1 record at Fenway Park. Unfortunately he will not get a chance to start there against Cleveland. Not to mention the Indians are also a stellar 53–28 at home compared to 41–39 on the road in 2016.
Overall, Sunday’s game was memorable, for the right and wrong reasons. Did the weekend of ceremonies distract the Red Sox from finishing strong? Maybe. Can you blame David Ortiz for this? Sure. Either way, Ortiz will now have to lead his team on the road if he wants to add one final chapter to his Hall of Fame caliber legacy. I’m sure he will be up to the challenge.
