Big Papi

The inspiring and dramatic story of Big Papi, from growing up poor to becoming one of the most popular and successful players in Major League Baseball. Raised in the Dominican Republic, signed by the Seattle Mariners, and released by the Minnesota Twins, David Ortiz landed in baseball-crazy Boston, of all places. Generally regarded as an underachiever to that point in his career, Ortiz blossomed into one of the most feared and adored sluggers in baseball while altering the course of the game's history, helping Boston win its first World Series in eighty-six years and thereby breaking the infamous "Curse of the Bambino." Along the way, Ortiz established his place as a truly Ruthian figure in the annals of our national pastime: an imposing figure in the batter's box, yet an endearing man to the young, particularly in his native Dominican Republic, where he has focused his charitable efforts on improving the health of children. The son of two caring parents, and a loving father of three, Ortiz is a hero to many. Now, in his memoir, the man affectionately known as "Big Papi" recounts his life from growing up in an impoverished area of the Dominican Republic (where baseball is king) to his ascension in Boston (where he became one). Ortiz discusses, in detail, his historic and record-setting performances as a member of the Red Sox, his exploding popularity, the challenges of playing in Boston, and life in the Red Sox clubhouse. Big Papi is a unique memoir by a charismatic man who appeals to young and old, on the baseball field or off.

With more than 500 career home runs, an infectious personality, and three World Series championships, David Ortiz has established his position as the greatest Red Sox player of this generation. But Ortiz' story did not start with postseason heroics and towering blasts into the Fenway Park bleachers. Ortiz struggled to find his power stroke in parts of six seasons with the Minnesota Twins, who released him after the 2002 season. Then Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein signed Ortiz in 2003 and the 27 year old soon became known as Big Papi, setting career highs with 31 home runs and 101 RBIs. The next season, the Red Sox won the franchise's first World Series championship in 86 years. Ortiz hit .409 in the postseason, twice driving in the game-winning runs as the Red Sox overcame a 3-0 deficit to top the Yankees in the ALCS. Big Papi hit a franchise-record 54 home runs in 2006 and led the team to a second World Series title in 2007. Ortiz continued his assault on American League pitching into his late-30s. At age 37, he hit .688 in the 2013 World Series to earn MVP honors as the Red Sox topped the Cardinals. Following a 2015 season in which he hit 37 home runs at age 39, Ortiz announced that the 2016 season would be his last. Ortiz' unforgettable career is chronicled in this new, must-have keepsake book from the Boston Globe. Big Papi: The Legend & Legacy of David Ortiz features 128 pages of award-winning reporting, vivid storytelling, dramatic photographs, and statistics capturing the unforgettable moments from Big Papi's arrival in Boston to his farewell tour in 2016. This one of a kind career retrospective is the perfect souvenir for any Red Sox Fan.

The Red Sox Hall of Famer and World Series MVP tells the story of his life and career in a sports memoir that “lives up to its ‘no-holds-barred’ billing” (Washington Post). David “Big Papi” Ortiz is a baseball icon and one of the most popular figures ever to play the game. A star player with the Boston Red Sox for fifteen years, Ortiz helped to win three World Series, bringing back a storied franchise from “never wins” to “always wins.” As he launched balls into the stands again and again, he helped silence the naysayers while capturing the imaginations of millions of fans. Ortiz made Boston and the Red Sox his home, his place of work, and his legacy. In Papi, Ortiz tells his story in his own words, opening up as never before. The result is a revelatory tale of a storied career—all told by a legendary player with a lot to say at the end of his time in the game. This edition of Papi includes a new afterword. “Baseball fans of all loyalties will enjoy learning about [Ortiz’s] unique experiences in and out of the game.” —Library Journal “The rise of Ortiz from scrap-heap bench player to Hall of Famer is an unlikely and entertaining story, and engagingly told.” —Washington Post

Celebrate David Ortiz's Hall of Fame enshrinement with this vibrant retrospective. With more than 500 career home runs, an infectious personality, and three World Series championships, David Ortiz has established his position as one of the greatest Major League Baseball players of this generation. But Ortiz' story did not start with postseason heroics and towering blasts into the Fenway Park bleachers. Ortiz struggled to find his power stroke in parts of six seasons with the Minnesota Twins, who released him after the 2002 season. Then, Boston Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein signed Ortiz in 2003 and the 27 year old soon became known as Big Papi, setting career highs in home runs, winning the franchise's first World Series championship in 86 years, and continuing his onslaught against American League pitching well into his late-30s. Following a 2015 season in which he hit 37 home runs at age 39, Ortiz announced that the 2016 season would be his last. Five years later, he became the only player elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame's 2022 class. Ortiz' unforgettable career is chronicled in this updated and expanded book from The Boston Globe. Big Papi: The Legend & Legacy of David Ortiz features 144 pages of award-winning reporting, vivid storytelling, dramatic photographs, and exclusive coverage of Ortiz as he prepares for his Hall of Fame induction ceremony. This one of a kind career retrospective is the perfect souvenir for any Red Sox fan.

David Ortiz first won over the Fenway faithful in 2003 with his monstrous home runs, beaming smile, big hugs, and kind heart. The following fall, he proved heroic, belting walk-off hits in Games 4 and 5 of the ALCS in an epic series comeback over Jeter’s Yankees. His legendary feats helped the Red Sox end the 86-year-old “Curse of the Bambino” and deliver a World Series title to Boston. In the largest gathering in American history—of any kind—3 million fans cheered Ortiz & Co. in the World Series victory parade. “Big Papi” has walloped over 500 home runs and led Boston to two more world titles. In 2013, following the Boston Marathon bombings, he epitomized “Boston Strong” by crushing a series-turning grand slam in the ALCS and blasting .688 in the World Series, earning MVP honors. Authors David Fischer and David Aretha celebrate this David’s career in a fully illustrated, scrapbook-style album with prose as passionate as Big Papi himself. Included too are dozens of personal anecdotes and recollections about Ortiz from prominent members of the Red Sox organization and the Boston community. Supreme photography and treasures from the Baseball Hall of Fame—rarely seen photographs and artifacts—enhance the nostalgic experience. This unique collection captures the magic of David Ortiz, one of the greatest heroes the game has ever known. Skyhorse Publishing, as well as our Sports Publishing imprint, are proud to publish a broad range of books for readers interested in sports—books about baseball, pro football, college football, pro and college basketball, hockey, or soccer, we have a book about your sport or your team. Whether you are a New York Yankees fan or hail from Red Sox nation; whether you are a die-hard Green Bay Packers or Dallas Cowboys fan; whether you root for the Kentucky Wildcats, Louisville Cardinals, UCLA Bruins, or Kansas Jayhawks; whether you route for the Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, or Los Angeles Kings; we have a book for you. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to publishing books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked by other publishers and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.

Profiles the designated hitter for the Boston Red Sox, who, in 2004, helped his team to their first World Series victory in eighty-six years.

Red Sox fans fill Fenway Park in Boston to see the living legend David Ortiz play. Known as "Big Papi," the designated hitter Ortiz has astonished baseball fans with huge hits and a big smile. In this fact-filled biography, readers discover that Ortiz learned about baseball from his father in the Dominican Republic. They follow Ortiz's path from high school to his first professional contract with the Seattle Mariners, his trade to the Minnesota Twins, and then his outstanding hitting and World Series triumphs with the Red Sox. A timeline and list of other living legends of baseball are included.

The popular LGBTQ advice columnist and writer presents a memoir-in-essays chronicling his journey growing up as a queer, mixed-race kid in America's heartland to becoming the "Chicano Carrie Bradshaw" of his generation.