Does anyone else think players like Dave Ortiz are not athletes?

Question

He is one of the greatest hitters in the game right now yet he, like almost every other fat a s s slugger before him, refuses to run out base hits or try to lose his gut. He makes me reminisce of a certain fat a s s that was traded to my Angels named Mo Vaughn. I had to watch that giant terd walk halfway to first then start walking to the dugout before the throw to first was even made- but back to David Ortiz... I truly feel that even if you're a consistent .300 hitter, a perennial allstar, a constant threat at the plate, and always a threat to hit a walk-off, you're still not an athlete (let alone a complete player!) if you can't even run out a ground ball! I swear, don't even get me started on playing a position! At least the NL can expose players like Barry Bonds for their liabilities.

Answer 1

I think that AL baseball with the DH rule has a system in place that allows a team to keep a guy that can't really field all that well in the lineup just because he can hit. So within that rule set, yes he is an athlete.

Answer 2

David Ortiz isn't going to win any triathlons, but he's still an athlete. He works out every day, and it takes incredible athletic skill to hit major league pitching. I'm not arguing that he's a better athlete than a guy like Clemens who keeps himself well-conditioned as he gets older, but I think it's incorrect to say he's not an athlete just because he's a big man. The extra weight doesn't seem to hurt him, and it may help with generating some of his power.

If you're going to paint fat guys as non-athletes, then would the same apply to NFL linemen, 300-pounders who can chase down a running play?

As for Ortiz not running out every ground ball, who really gives a flying you know what? I'd rather have Ortiz strolling down to first on an easy out than a guy who hits .250 and runs out every ground ball. All this talk about hustle and athleticism really doesn't mean much when it comes down to winning baseball games.

Answer 3

Ask Jerrod Washburn if David Ortiz is an athlete. Remember the third game of the ALDS in 2004. What about the first game, in Anaheim, when Big Papi drove Manny in for the first run of the game. Not to mention that the first home run that David Ortiz hit as a Red Sox was in April 2003 in Anaheim Stadium to break a tie in the 12th inning. He is athlete enough for your Halos.

Answer 4

So by your definition, pitchers like Bobby Jenks are not athletes either? Hitting a baseball is an athletic feat and he still has to run the bases. If you're talking about non-athletes, started with golfers!

Answer 5

obviously you dont watch much of the red sox... because david ortiz hustles out every grounder... it just so happens he isnt very fast and it makes it look like hes not running. As far as his weight... hes in shape as durability and muscle... so the little extra fat around the midsection is fine foir a power hitter

Answer 6

I think just the fact that he can consistently turn around 95 MPH fastballs 400 feet in the opposite direction, often in clutch situations, qualifies him as an athlete. You ought to try it sometime and let us know how you do.

Answer 7

david ortiz has great hand eye coordination, so he's an athlete. I didnt read ur rant but look at NFL "athletes" who are just 350 pounds, i dont believe they are athletes, they're just big.