Synopses & Reviews
Through an extraordinary ability to perform under pressure, David Ortiz has gone from toting the heavy burden of potential to being one of the most celebrated performers in baseball history. Along the way, a baseball legend was born: BIG PAPI. 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.
Review
“Big Papi brings us the life and thoughts of the greatest clutch hitter in memory.”---The Boston Globe
“The only thing more amazing than the Red Sox winning a World Series is Ortizs remarkable story.”---Publishers Weekly
Review
"An incredibly intelligent, self-aware glimpse inside an admirable career. The preseason pick for best baseball book of the season." and#8211;
Booklist (starred review) "A must-read." and#8212;
Boston Globe "A must-read." and#8212;
Boston Globe "A must-read." and#8212;
Boston Globe "A must-read." and#8212;
Boston Globe "A must-read." and#8212;
Boston Globe and#8220;Knuckler is a terrific book about one of baseball's most underrated pitchers, not to mention baseball's most misunderstood pitch. There are wonderful stories and anecdotes here, but it's also a portrait of a humble, caring man who has carved out a special niche for himself. If you love baseball (not just Red Sox baseball), Knuckler is for you. If you don't care a hang about baseball, but like stories about exceptionally talented people behaving decently, Knuckler is also for you. And if you're sick to death of sports stories about athletes behaving badly, Tim Wakefield's book is the perfect antidote.and#8221; and#8211;Stephen King "A must-read." and#8212; Boston Globe
and#8220;Knuckler is a terrific book about one of baseball's most underrated pitchers, not to mention baseball's most misunderstood pitch. There are wonderful stories and anecdotes here, but it's also a portrait of a humble, caring man who has carved out a special niche for himself. If you love baseball (not just Red Sox baseball), Knuckler is for you. If you don't care a hang about baseball, but like stories about exceptionally talented people behaving decently, Knuckler is also for you. And if you're sick to death of sports stories about athletes behaving badly, Tim Wakefield's book is the perfect antidote.and#8221; and#8211;Stephen King
"A must-read." and#8212; Boston Globe
and#8220;Knuckler is a terrific book about one of baseball's most underrated pitchers, not to mention baseball's most misunderstood pitch. There are wonderful stories and anecdotes here, but it's also a portrait of a humble, caring man who has carved out a special niche for himself. If you love baseball (not just Red Sox baseball), Knuckler is for you. If you don't care a hang about baseball, but like stories about exceptionally talented people behaving decently, Knuckler is also for you. And if you're sick to death of sports stories about athletes behaving badly, Tim Wakefield's book is the perfect antidote.and#8221; and#8211;Stephen King
and#8220;To read Knuckler is to appreciate that there is no gimmick, no fluke, no chance to Tim Wakefield approaching 200 wins and 20 major league seasons. This book is about resiliency, diligence and the tunnel vision required to live by what appears to be the most fanciful pitch thrown by man." and#8211;Peter Gammons, MLB baseball analyst and member of the National Sportswriters and Sportscasters Hall of Fame "A must-read." and#8212; Boston Globe
and#8220;Knuckler is a terrific book about one of baseball's most underrated pitchers, not to mention baseball's most misunderstood pitch. There are wonderful stories and anecdotes here, but it's also a portrait of a humble, caring man who has carved out a special niche for himself. If you love baseball (not just Red Sox baseball), Knuckler is for you. If you don't care a hang about baseball, but like stories about exceptionally talented people behaving decently, Knuckler is also for you. And if you're sick to death of sports stories about athletes behaving badly, Tim Wakefield's book is the perfect antidote.and#8221; and#8211;Stephen King
and#8220;To read Knuckler is to appreciate that there is no gimmick, no fluke, no chance to Tim Wakefield approaching 200 wins and 20 major league seasons. This book is about resiliency, diligence and the tunnel vision required to live by what appears to be the most fanciful pitch thrown by man." and#8211;Peter Gammons, MLB baseball analyst and member of the National Sportswriters and Sportscasters Hall of Fame
"A must-read." and#8212; Boston Globe
and#8220;Knuckler is a terrific book about one of baseball's most underrated pitchers, not to mention baseball's most misunderstood pitch. There are wonderful stories and anecdotes here, but it's also a portrait of a humble, caring man who has carved out a special niche for himself. If you love baseball (not just Red Sox baseball), Knuckler is for you. If you don't care a hang about baseball, but like stories about exceptionally talented people behaving decently, Knuckler is also for you. And if you're sick to death of sports stories about athletes behaving badly, Tim Wakefield's book is the perfect antidote.and#8221; and#8211;Stephen King
and#8220;To read Knuckler is to appreciate that there is no gimmick, no fluke, no chance to Tim Wakefield approaching 200 wins and 20 major league seasons. This book is about resiliency, diligence and the tunnel vision required to live by what appears to be the most fanciful pitch thrown by man." and#8211;Peter Gammons, MLB baseball analyst and member of the National Sportswriters and Sportscasters Hall of Fame
"Tim Wakefieldand#8217;sand#160;Knuckler is a fastball right down the middle of the plate. It is an honest, straightforward and very enjoyable account of the national pastime.and#8221;and#160; and#8211;Allan H. (Bud) Selig, Commissioner of Baseball "A must-read." and#8212; Boston Globe
and#8220;Knuckler is a terrific book about one of baseball's most underrated pitchers, not to mention baseball's most misunderstood pitch. There are wonderful stories and anecdotes here, but it's also a portrait of a humble, caring man who has carved out a special niche for himself. If you love baseball (not just Red Sox baseball), Knuckler is for you. If you don't care a hang about baseball, but like stories about exceptionally talented people behaving decently, Knuckler is also for you. And if you're sick to death of sports stories about athletes behaving badly, Tim Wakefield's book is the perfect antidote.and#8221; and#8211;Stephen King
and#8220;To read Knuckler is to appreciate that there is no gimmick, no fluke, no chance to Tim Wakefield approaching 200 wins and 20 major league seasons. This book is about resiliency, diligence and the tunnel vision required to live by what appears to be the most fanciful pitch thrown by man." and#8211;Peter Gammons, MLB baseball analyst and member of the National Sportswriters and Sportscasters Hall of Fame
"Tim Wakefieldand#8217;sand#160;Knuckler is a fastball right down the middle of the plate. It is an honest, straightforward and very enjoyable account of the national pastime.and#8221;and#160; and#8211;Allan H. (Bud) Selig, Commissioner of Baseball
"A must-read." and#8212; Boston Globe
and#8220;Knuckler is a terrific book about one of baseball's most underrated pitchers, not to mention baseball's most misunderstood pitch. There are wonderful stories and anecdotes here, but it's also a portrait of a humble, caring man who has carved out a special niche for himself. If you love baseball (not just Red Sox baseball), Knuckler is for you. If you don't care a hang about baseball, but like stories about exceptionally talented people behaving decently, Knuckler is also for you. And if you're sick to death of sports stories about athletes behaving badly, Tim Wakefield's book is the perfect antidote.and#8221; and#8211;Stephen King
and#8220;To read Knuckler is to appreciate that there is no gimmick, no fluke, no chance to Tim Wakefield approaching 200 wins and 20 major league seasons. This book is about resiliency, diligence and the tunnel vision required to live by what appears to be the most fanciful pitch thrown by man." and#8211;Peter Gammons, MLB baseball analyst and member of the National Sportswriters and Sportscasters Hall of Fame
"Tim Wakefieldand#8217;sand#160;Knuckler is a fastball right down the middle of the plate. It is an honest, straightforward and very enjoyable account of the national pastime.and#8221;and#160; and#8211;Allan H. (Bud) Selig, Commissioner of Baseball
"I have always admired Tim Wakefield, as he plays baseball with a great deal of integrity, the way the game should be played.and#160; Knuckler gives readers a rare glimpse at the man behind the baseball and his remarkable work on and off the field."and#160; and#8211;Carlton Fisk, Hall of Fame catcher "A must-read." and#8212; Boston Globe
and#8220;Knuckler is a terrific book about one of baseball's most underrated pitchers, not to mention baseball's most misunderstood pitch. There are wonderful stories and anecdotes here, but it's also a portrait of a humble, caring man who has carved out a special niche for himself. If you love baseball (not just Red Sox baseball), Knuckler is for you. If you don't care a hang about baseball, but like stories about exceptionally talented people behaving decently, Knuckler is also for you. And if you're sick to death of sports stories about athletes behaving badly, Tim Wakefield's book is the perfect antidote.and#8221; and#8211;Stephen King
and#8220;To read Knuckler is to appreciate that there is no gimmick, no fluke, no chance to Tim Wakefield approaching 200 wins and 20 major league seasons. This book is about resiliency, diligence and the tunnel vision required to live by what appears to be the most fanciful pitch thrown by man." and#8211;Peter Gammons, MLB baseball analyst and member of the National Sportswriters and Sportscasters Hall of Fame
"Tim Wakefieldand#8217;sand#160;Knuckler is a fastball right down the middle of the plate. It is an honest, straightforward and very enjoyable account of the national pastime.and#8221;and#160; and#8211;Allan H. (Bud) Selig, Commissioner of Baseball
"I have always admired Tim Wakefield, as he plays baseball with a great deal of integrity, the way the game should be played.and#160; Knuckler gives readers a rare glimpse at the man behind the baseball and his remarkable work on and off the field."and#160; and#8211;Carlton Fisk, Hall of Fame catcher "Competent and entertaining, Wakefield's book is one to savor, especially for the stat-obsessed baseball fan and the novice pitcher in search of a knuckleball to call his own." and#8211;Publishers Weekly "Competent and entertaining, Wakefield's book is one to savor, especially for the stat-obsessed baseball fan and the novice pitcher in search of a knuckleball to call his own." and#8211;Publishers Weekly
"Competent and entertaining, Wakefield's book is one to savor, especially for the stat-obsessed baseball fan and the novice pitcher in search of a knuckleball to call his own." and#8211;Publishers Weekly
"Provides valuable insights on perseverance, professionalism, and the ability to forget the last pitch." and#8211;Library Journal
Synopsis
Feared by pitchers and loved by baseball fans of all stripes, David “Big Papi” Ortiz wields a big bat, a huge smile, and an even bigger heart. In this blockbuster biography, Ortiz tells his tale: Growing up poor in the Dominican Republic, struggling through the minor leagues in an unfamiliar country, and ultimately finding success as a late-inning hero for the Boston Red Sox . . . and helping his team make the greatest comeback in sports history by winning the 2004 World Series. In 2006 he broke the team record with 54 home runs and started the All-Star game for the third straight year in 2007.
Along the way he shares his hard-won wisdom, sidesplitting laughs from the clubhouse, thoughts about his famous teammates and opponents, and some remarkably candid opinions. Big Papi is an unforgettable story about a sports hero that will have readers cheering with every page.
Synopsis
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.
Synopsis
The incredible story of one of baseball's rarest and most resilient performers, and of the confounding pitch that would change his life and define his career.
Synopsis
and#8220;A terrific book about one of baseballand#8217;s most underrated pitchers, not to mention baseballand#8217;s most misunderstood pitch.and#8221; and#8211; Stephen King
Tim Wakefield is an enigma. At forty-four years old, he is the longest-serving member of one of baseballand#8217;s most popular franchises. He has pitched more games than any other player in Red Sox history, and in 2011 he reached the milestone of 200 career victories. Yet few realize the full measure of his success. In fact, that his career can be characterized by such words as longevity and consistency defies all odds, because he has achieved all of this with the gameand#8217;s most mercurial weaponand#8212;the knuckleball.
Knuckler is the story of how a struggling position player risked his future on a fickle pitch that would eventually define his career, making him one of the most respected players in the game. It is also a lively and entertaining meditation on the dancing pitch, its history, its mechanics, its mystique, and the inevitable ironies it brings to bear.
and#8220;This book is about resiliency, diligence, and the tunnel vision required to live by what appears to be the most fanciful pitch thrown by man.and#8221; and#8211; Peter Gammons, MLB analyst
and#8220;Knuckler gives readers a rare glimpse of the man behind the baseball and his remarkable work on and off the field.and#8221; and#8211; Carlton Fisk, Hall of Fame catcher
About the Author
David Ortiz has averaged more than 43 home runs and 131 RBIs as a member of the Boston Red Sox, leading all major-league players in RBIs during the four-year period from 2003 to 2006. Ortiz has spent all or parts of ten years in the major leagues. In 2006, he hit 54 home runs to set a Red Sox franchise record, breaking the mark previously held by Hall of Famer Jimmie Foxx.
Tony Massarotti began covering baseball in 1991 for the Boston Herald. He coauthored the bestselling book A Tale of Two Cities: The 2004 Yankees-Red Sox Rivalry and the War for the Pennant. He lives in the Boston area with his wife, Natalie, and their sons, Alexander and Xavier.