What do we do with Papi?

For those that clicked on the link thinking my grandfather may need to go to a retirement home I thank you in advance for your concern. This has something to do with a Red Sox DH that just might be of Grandfather age.... Should we (red sox nation) consider trading him? Would anybody take him? It seems that our investment towards power a few years ago has turned up sour. Is it a steroid related issue? In my mind, it has something to do with it, but the length and scope of his slump is absolutely rediculous (sp). Maybe he's older than originally known. I haven't had much of a sence of player loyalty since I saw Wade Boggs riding a horse around Yankee stadium in the mid 90's, so IMHO, let's get rid of Ortiz, and turn the page. Yeah, it kinda sounds cruel, but these baby's make so much money it's crazy. Any thoughts?

I say cut the dead wood.Speculation that his problem was due to Manny not hitting behind him anymore has proved wrong.He's getting the pitches to hit,he has Jason Bay hitting behind him,he's just not getting it done.They need to get Baldelli back on track and that's only going to happen with more playing time.Try the very fragile J.D. Drew in Ortiz' DH role keep Rocco in right and get on with it already.

Yup, I can certainly agree with you whistlestop. We do owe ortiz a bunch of money and he has zero options for minor league play. I suspect within 2 weeks he'll come down with an "ailment" and end up on the DL for 15 days or so. maybe then we can get him some at-bats out of a red sox uniform, and build his confidence.

Well, the Red Sox management is so analytical and numbers driven (something I admire) that I've got to believe they'll do whatever is best for the team in the long run. It's a rather yin yang pull between numbers/performance versus loyalties and emotions...

Anyway, we saw Ortiz play with the Portland Sea Dogs last summer when he was coming back from the DL. I don't know that playing for the Sea Dogs did anything for him, but it was pretty exciting for the fans.

Teach him to pitch then trade him to the Brewers-Fast

Reminds me of a favorite joke:

Q: What do you do if you've got three balls on an elephant?

A: Walk him and pitch to the hippo.

Madison West Little League team in Senior League World Series in Maine.

First see if he will chase a pitch or two out of the strike zone; the hippo has been on fire lately

Ok I take anything I said above about Ortiz back. Typical of Boston fans, I can't seem to make up my mind. Anihoo he is hitting again, and if our bats could just wake up for another 4-6 weeks we'll be good for the wild card. Of course, this weekend may have a lot to do with what happens with the Division! Can't wait!!!!

New Hiker 2B,

How did your boys from Madison do? I loved those days playing little and senior league!

They just lost 9-8 or they would have made it into the semi finals. I still remember my days playing too. Played from 8 all the way through senior league. My senior league All Star team had one game go two days which we won on a homerun. We went deep into the tournaments after but ran out of pitchers in a double elimination tournament. How about your playing days? The brewers had time to go get apitcher or 2;they could at least tried for Brett Favre LOL I'm hoping the Vikings whoop the packers this year but the division is so weak anything can happen. I think St. Louis did good to go get Smoltz. He could be a big bonus later on.

Well that's a bummer. At least it was a good game, but it's always a letdown when you don't win. Yeah, I started with t ball back when i was 7 or so, and played through high school, Legion ball, and even a short stint with a South Carolina semi-pro team. Sadly, at 30 I found out that I can't hit anymore. Couldn't pick up the ball early enough. I was still a good fielder at 3rd base, but no bat equals no playing time except for late inning defense. That rivalry between the Pack and Vikings is really heating up this year. And I agree with you about the Smoltz thing. Boston just doesn't have the luxary of giving pitchers time to work things out in the majors. The division is too competitive. I'm sure we'll be seeing him in October on the mound for the redbirds.

Semi Pro wow. I faced one lefty in LL he always had my number or should I say letter K. He was about the only pitcher that put any fear in me at the plate. I faced much faster pitchers and some with good junk but this guy always put me away. The game is mental too. WE got Madison Mallards her in town great time but the game seems to be losing importance compared to anything the marketers conjure up. I can embarrass hometown crowd when I see 1st and 2nd no outs and no bunt put down. Did I miss some other option growing up that I don't know about? What are the other undefendable plays? I did get to meet the king of the king and his court. His exhibition teams pitcher had people swinging before the ball was half way to home. It is some wind-up like a hop -skip-windmill release.