Has anyone approached “god-like” status in Boston faster than David Ortiz has over the second half of this season? Tom Brady and his miracle run in the 2001 NFL season is close. But he was replacing the loved by many, hated by many Drew Bledsoe. Larry Legend is just that in the Boston sports bubble, a legend. The legend was quick in forming, but that pinnacle is held for the elite few over a long career.Where would we be without quotes like, “That’s why people gotta believe in the Sox. This is not apple Sox, or barbecue Sox. This is the Sox.”? Who would have imagined that forty year old white men would be translating “Jump Around” by House of Pain into Spanish on the radio? And who would have thought that the name David Ortiz would be tossed around as a casual AL MVP candidate?

For most of this season, I have credited Manny Ramirez with being the glue that holds this offense together; It’s most under-respected superstar, the real MVP candidate. And there is no doubt that Manny Ramirez has had a tremendous offensive season, 2nd in the league in Runs Above Replacement Position and 3rd in the league in Value Over Replacement Position. There is no doubt that Manny Ramirez has had an excellent season.

But after defending this point (unsuccessfully I might add) last night to “Off the Wall” Paul, who steadfastly argued that David Ortiz was the MVP of the Red Sox and a realistic AL MVP candidate, I have seen the error of my ways.

In 1995 a very similar player put up very similar numbers, in a similar body, and a similar park with a similar swing, all while wearing the same uniform and won the AL MVP because of what he meant to his team.

Mo Vaughn, 1B, Boston Red Sox, 1995 AL MVP
Year  	AB	HR	RBI	 AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS 1995	550	39	126	.300	.388	.575	.963

In 2003, David Ortiz has matched Mo at bat for at bat (he just has less of them).

David Ortiz, 1B/DH, Boston Red Sox, 2003 AL MVP?
Year  	AB	HR	RBI	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS 2003	441	31	100	.286	.363	.594	.958

If not for the first two months of the season, where Ortiz floundered in minimal opportunities while Shea Hillenbrand and Jeremy Giambi got more at bats, Ortiz’ numbers might have stacked up even closer to Mo’s of 1995.

David Ortiz with 550 AB (projected)
Year  	AB	HR	RBI	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS 2003	550	39	125	.286	.363	.594	.958

We can also assume that these at bats would have been more productive from an avg and obp perspective as once Ortiz got playing time, he hit a groove hitting .299 since the all star break with a .382 OBP.

Ortiz probably won’t win the AL MVP. Quite simply, he didn’t play enough in the beginning of the season to match up with ARod, Delgado, and even Manny. But like Mo Vaughn was, Ortiz is the heart and soul of a playoff baseball team and deserves the credit that goes along with that. I, for one, have seen the light.

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