Papi's place in Boston sports history

[Celtics18]

Wow, no Russell mentions yet as one of Boston's greatest sports icons?

[D.o.s.]

Also, the dude just has presence.

I'm a casual, mostly hereditary Red Sox fan, but there's a palpable electricity in Fenway when he steps up to the plate that's unmatched by any other baseball player I've ever seen in the flesh.

Wow, no Russell mentions yet as one of Boston's greatest sports icons?

Russel's black. Obviously we're here to talk about Tom Brady, Orr, and Larry Bird. This is Boston we're talking about. Ortiz, you see, is an honorary white guy, because he plays the only major North American sport where white men still have a puncher's chance at success.



(is that enough to make it clear I'm taking the p---?)

[JSD]

Also, the dude just has presence.

I'm a casual, mostly hereditary Red Sox fan, but there's a palpable electricity in Fenway when he steps up to the plate that's unmatched by any other baseball player I've ever seen in the flesh.

Wow, no Russell mentions yet as one of Boston's greatest sports icons?

Russel's black. Obviously we're here to talk about Tom Brady, Orr, and Larry Bird. This is Boston we're talking about. Ortiz, you see, is an honorary white guy, because he plays the only major North American sport where white men still have a puncher's chance at success.



(is that enough to make it clear I'm taking the p---?)

I'll give you one thing, Boston folks are notorious for making a non-race issue, a race issue.

Not too many people here saw Russell play. The OP framed the context from the 80's on, and I threw Orr's name out there just to cover every sport.

Russell is undeniably the center piece of the Mount Rushmore of Boston sports. Ortiz isn’t near that level.

[Snakehead]

Wow, no Russell mentions yet as one of Boston's greatest sports icons?

Right there with you.

Also Ted Williams.

Also, the dude just has presence.

I'm a casual, mostly hereditary Red Sox fan, but there's a palpable electricity in Fenway when he steps up to the plate that's unmatched by any other baseball player I've ever seen in the flesh.

Wow, no Russell mentions yet as one of Boston's greatest sports icons?

Russel's black. Obviously we're here to talk about Tom Brady, Orr, and Larry Bird. This is Boston we're talking about. Ortiz, you see, is an honorary white guy, because he plays the only major North American sport where white men still have a puncher's chance at success.



(is that enough to make it clear I'm taking the p---?)

I'll give you one thing, Boston folks are notorious for making a non-race issue, a race issue.

Not too many people here saw Russell play. The OP framed the context from the 80's on, and I threw Orr's name out there just to cover every sport.

This is the spirit I took it in as well, but at the same time just goes to show you there are a ton of great Boston athletes through the years.

[D.o.s.]

Also, the dude just has presence.

I'm a casual, mostly hereditary Red Sox fan, but there's a palpable electricity in Fenway when he steps up to the plate that's unmatched by any other baseball player I've ever seen in the flesh.

Wow, no Russell mentions yet as one of Boston's greatest sports icons?

Russel's black. Obviously we're here to talk about Tom Brady, Orr, and Larry Bird. This is Boston we're talking about. Ortiz, you see, is an honorary white guy, because he plays the only major North American sport where white men still have a puncher's chance at success.



(is that enough to make it clear I'm taking the p---?)

I'll give you one thing, Boston folks are notorious for making a non-race issue, a race issue.

Hence taking the p---.

[slamtheking]

Wow, no Russell mentions yet as one of Boston's greatest sports icons?

Right there with you.

Also Ted Williams.

Also, the dude just has presence.

I'm a casual, mostly hereditary Red Sox fan, but there's a palpable electricity in Fenway when he steps up to the plate that's unmatched by any other baseball player I've ever seen in the flesh.

Wow, no Russell mentions yet as one of Boston's greatest sports icons?

Russel's black. Obviously we're here to talk about Tom Brady, Orr, and Larry Bird. This is Boston we're talking about. Ortiz, you see, is an honorary white guy, because he plays the only major North American sport where white men still have a puncher's chance at success.



(is that enough to make it clear I'm taking the p---?)

I'll give you one thing, Boston folks are notorious for making a non-race issue, a race issue.

Not too many people here saw Russell play. The OP framed the context from the 80's on, and I threw Orr's name out there just to cover every sport.

This is the spirit I took it in as well, but at the same time just goes to show you there are a ton of great Boston athletes through the years.

that's how I took it as well.  also, Williams, Yaz and Rice, though they're Sox legends they weren't as continuously beloved in Boston as Papi has been. 

[Eja117]

Also, the dude just has presence.

I'm a casual, mostly hereditary Red Sox fan, but there's a palpable electricity in Fenway when he steps up to the plate that's unmatched by any other baseball player I've ever seen in the flesh.

Wow, no Russell mentions yet as one of Boston's greatest sports icons?

Russel's black. Obviously we're here to talk about Tom Brady, Orr, and Larry Bird. This is Boston we're talking about. Ortiz, you see, is an honorary white guy, because he plays the only major North American sport where white men still have a puncher's chance at success.



(is that enough to make it clear I'm taking the p---?)

White men don't have a puncher's chance at football or hockey?  Woah. 

[Celtics18]

Fair enough, '80s on.  Where's the Truth on that list? 

[Eja117]

Papi has a very unique place in Boston sports history.  I think the Pierce analogy is excellent. Hard to do better than that.   Adam Viniateri for being sooooooooooo clutch. So clutch. Like it just doesn't even bother him. 

[Celtics18]

I'm putting Manny and Pedro fairly high on that list, as well. 

[hpantazo]

Wow, no Russell mentions yet as one of Boston's greatest sports icons?

Well they are givig him a statue in Boston tomorrow afternoon which is likely why the Red Sox parade is on Saturday so yea, Russell is in the top 3 imo

[D.o.s.]

Wow, no Russell mentions yet as one of Boston's greatest sports icons?

Well they are givig him a statue in Boston tomorrow afternoon which is likely why the Red Sox parade is on Saturday so yea, Russell is in the top 3 imo

Stoked to check out the Russell statue sometime this weekend.

[Cman]

Papi's career path is more reminiscent of that of Pierce rather than Bird. I'll still take it.

^^I like this analogy.

A tier below Russell, Bird, Brady (all of whom would be brought up in any discussion of "greatest ever"), but a tier that captures a special place in the hearts of fans of Boston sports teams.

[CelticG1]

Papi's career path is more reminiscent of that of Pierce rather than Bird. I'll still take it.

^^I like this analogy.

A tier below Russell, Bird, Brady (all of whom would be brought up in any discussion of "greatest ever"), but a tier that captures a special place in the hearts of fans of Boston sports teams.

I'd say its pretty close too. Although ortiz just had an Historic individual world series and was a vital part of 3 championships.

Its tough though it being a different sport and all. Doesnt line up completely so yes pretty good analogy