David Ortiz’s 2004 season was the birth of his postseason legend—a year where he wasn’t just great, he was clutch beyond belief, becoming the emotional and offensive engine behind the Red Sox's historic championship run.
David Ortiz, also known as "Big Papi," is one of the greatest and most beloved players in Boston Red Sox history—and one of the most clutch hitters in the history of baseball.
Game 4:
Down to their final three outs, Ortiz hit a walk-off 2-run HR in the 12th inning, saving the season.
Game 5:
14-inning marathon. Ortiz drove in the tying run earlier and then hit a walk-off single to win it.
Game 6:
RBI single and HR. His hits kept the Sox offense alive while Schilling gutted through the bloody sock game.
Game 7:
HR and 3 RBIs in the clinching 10–3 win in Yankee Stadium.
💬 Kevin Millar: “Don’t let us win tonight.”
💬 Ortiz: “Hold my bat.”
Ortiz had a reputation for rising to the moment:
Postseason career: .289 AVG / .404 OBP / .543 SLG / 17 HR / 61 RBI in 85 games
2004 ALCS: Walk-off HR in Game 4, walk-off hit in Game 5 (helped fuel comeback from 0–3 vs Yankees)
2013 World Series: Hit .688 with 2 HR, .760 OBP in 6 games—one of the best WS performances ever
Gave the famous “This is our f---ing city” speech after the Boston Marathon bombing in 2013
Known for his charity work through the David Ortiz Children’s Fund
Now a TV analyst, frequent presence around the Red Sox
David Ortiz is:
One of the most clutch hitters ever
A central figure in ending the Red Sox’s 86-year championship drought
A Red Sox icon, Boston hero, and first-ballot Hall of Famer