We knew it. And I (Melissa) think I can speak for many Bostonians when I say…David Ortiz was one of if not the BEST clutch hitter in MLB history. Watching him up to bat in those clutch situations you just knew he was gonna win the game. He was/is the definition of what it means to be a Red Sox. Congratulations Big Papi. Very well deserved!
Enjoy this photo gallery of some of David Ortiz’s big moments:
Ortiz gets hug from Garciaparra
ShareCHICAGO - SEPTEMBER 3: Designated hitter David Ortiz #34 of the Boston Red Sox gets a hug from teammate Nomar Garciaparra in the dugout after hitting the game winning home run in the tenth inning against the Chicago White Sox during a game on September 3, 2003 at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Red Sox defeated the White Sox 5-4 in 10 innings. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
David Ortiz swings the bat
ShareBOSTON - JUNE 15: David Ortiz #34 of the Boston Red Sox swings the bat against the Houston Astros during the interleague game on June 15, 2003 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. The Red Sox defeated the Astros in 14 innings 3-2. (Photo by Jessica Rinaldi/Getty Images)
Ortiz hits two-run home run
ShareBRONX, NY - OCTOBER 8: David Ortiz #34 of the Boston Red Sox hits a two-run home run in the top of the forth inning against the New York Yankees during game 1 of the American League Championship Series on October 8, 2003 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Dodgers vs Boston Red Sox – June 13, 2004mages-121660358
ShareBoston Red Sox pitcher Pedro Martinez, right, and teammate David Ortiz point skyward after Martinez completed seven innings with a 4-1 lead against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Fenway Park in Boston, Saturday, June 13, 2004. (Photo by J Rogash/Getty Images)
2004 MLB All-Star Home Run Derby
ShareHOUSTON - JULY 12: David Ortiz of the American League team bats during the Major League Baseball Century 21 Home Run Derby at Minute Maid Park on July 12, 2004 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
75th All-Star Game
ShareHOUSTON - JULY 13: American League All-Star David Ortiz #34 of the Boston Red Sox prepares to bat against the National League All-Stars Team during the Major League Baseball 75th All-Star Game at Minute Maid Park on July 13, 2004 in Houston, Texas. The American League won 9-4. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
Angels v Red Sox
ShareBOSTON - OCTOBER 8: David Ortiz #34 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates with his teammates in the locker room after defeating the Anaheim Angels 8-6 in Game 3 of the American League Division Series October 8, 2004 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. The Red Sox sweep the best-of-five series. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Angels v Red Sox
ShareBOSTON - OCTOBER 8: David Ortiz #34 of the Boston Red Sox hits the game winning homerun to defeat the Anaheim Angels 8-6 in the 10th inning of Game 3 of the American League Division Series on October 8, 2004 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. The Red Sox swept the series 3-0. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
ALCS: Yankees v Red Sox Game 4
ShareBOSTON - OCTOBER 17: David Ortiz #34 celebrates with his teammates after hitting the game winning two-run home run against the New York Yankees in the twelfth inning during game four of the American League Championship Series on October 17, 2004 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
ALCS: Yankees v Red Sox Game 5
ShareBOSTON - OCTOBER 18: Runner David Ortiz #34 of the Boston Red Sox argues with umpire Randy Marsh after being called out on a steal attempt at second base in the twelth inning against the New York Yankees during game five of the American League Championship Series on October 18, 2004 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
ALCS: Yankees v Red Sox Game 5
ShareBOSTON - OCTOBER 18: David Ortiz #34 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates after hitting the game winning RBI single in the fourteenth inning to defeat the New York Yankees 5-4 during game five of the American League Championship Series on October 18, 2004 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
Red Sox v Yankees Game 7
ShareNEW YORK - OCTOBER 20: David Ortiz #34 of the Boston Red Sox points to the sky as he crosses home plate after hitting a two-run home run as Jason Varitek #33 congratulates him against the New York Yankees in the first inning during game seven of the American League Championship Series on October 20, 2004 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Red Sox v Yankees Game 7
ShareNEW YORK - OCTOBER 20: David Ortiz #34 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates after defeating the New York Yankees 10-3 in game seven of the American League Championship Series on October 20, 2004 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
World Series: Cardinals v Red Sox Game 1
ShareBOSTON - OCTOBER 23: David Ortiz #34 of the Boston Red Sox hits a three run home run in the first inning against the St. Louis Cardinals during game one of the World Series on October 23, 2004 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
World Series: Red Sox v Cardinals Game 4
ShareST LOUIS - OCTOBER 27: David Ortiz #34 of the Boston Red Sox looks up at Edgar Renteria #3 of the St. Louis Cardinals after reaching second base on a fielders choice during game four of the World Series on October 27, 2004 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
World Series: Red Sox v Cardinals Game 4
ShareST LOUIS - OCTOBER 27: (L-R) Pedro Martinez #45, Curt Schilling #38 and David Ortiz 34 of the Boston Red Sox celebrate after defeating the St. Louis Cardinals 3-0 in game four of the World Series on October 27, 2004 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
Red Sox World Series Victory Parade Held In Boston
ShareBOSTON - OCTOBER 30: Red Sox players David Ortiz (C) and Orlando Cabrera (L) celebrate during a World Series victory parade October 30, 2004 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Red Sox beat the Cardinals in four straight games to take the teams first World Series since 1918. (Photo by Darren McCollester/Getty Images)
World Series: Colorado Rockies v Boston Red Sox – Game 1
ShareBOSTON - OCTOBER 24: David Ortiz #34 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates with his teammates after scoring in the fifth inning during Game One of the 2007 Major League Baseball World Series against Colorado Rockies at Fenway Park on October 24, 2007 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
World Series: Boston Red Sox v Colorado Rockies – Game 4
ShareDENVER - OCTOBER 28: David Ortiz #34 of the Boston Red Sox makes the catch at first base for an out against Yorvit Torrealba #8 of the Colorado Rockies during Game Four of the 2007 Major League Baseball World Series at Coors Field on October 28, 2007 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
Boston Red Sox World Series Victory Celebration
ShareBOSTON - OCTOBER 30: David Ortiz #34 of the Boston Red Sox waves to fans during the Boston Red Sox World Series victory celebration on October 30, 2007 in Boston, Massachusetts (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
World Series: Colorado Rockies v Boston Red Sox – Game 2
ShareBOSTON - OCTOBER 25: David Ortiz #34 of the Boston Red Sox is congratualted by Kevin Youkilis #20 after scoring against the Colorado Rockies during Game Two of the 2007 Major League Baseball World Series at Fenway Park on October 25, 2007 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
World Series – St Louis Cardinals v Boston Red Sox – Game One
ShareOCTOBER 23: David Ortiz #34 of the Boston Red Sox points to a fan during Game One of the 2013 World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals at Fenway Park on October 23, 2013 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Detroit Tigers v Boston Red Sox
ShareBOSTON - APRIL 08: David Ortiz #34 of the Boston Red Sox heads out on to the field to get his 2007 World Series Championship ring before the game the Detroit Tigers on April 8,2008 during Opening Day at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
World Series – St Louis Cardinals v Boston Red Sox – Game One
ShareBOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 23: David Ortiz #34 of the Boston Red Sox scores after a hit by Mike Napoli #12 in the first inning against the St. Louis Cardinals during Game One of the 2013 World Series at Fenway Park on October 23, 2013 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
World Series – St Louis Cardinals v Boston Red Sox – Game One
ShareBOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 23: David Ortiz #34 of the Boston Red Sox hits a single in the fifth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals during Game One of the 2013 World Series at Fenway Park on October 23, 2013 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
World Series – St Louis Cardinals v Boston Red Sox – Game Six
ShareBOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 30: David Ortiz #34 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates after defeating the St. Louis Cardinals 6-1 in Game Six of the 2013 World Series at Fenway Park on October 30, 2013 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
World Series – St Louis Cardinals v Boston Red Sox – Game Six
ShareBOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 30: The Boston Red Sox celebrate after defeating the St. Louis Cardinals in Game Six of the 2013 World Series at Fenway Park on October 30, 2013 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Boston Red Sox defeated the St. Louis Cardinals 6-1. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
World Series – Boston Red Sox v St Louis Cardinals – Game Four
ShareST LOUIS, MO - OCTOBER 27: Koji Uehara #19 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates with teammate David Ortiz #34 after throwing out Kolten Wong #16 of the St. Louis Cardinals to win Game Four of the 2013 World Series at Busch Stadium on October 27, 2013 in St Louis, Missouri. The Red Sox defeated the Cardinals 4-2. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)