Big Papi: My Story of Big Dreams and Big Hits

by David Ortiz, Tony Massarotti

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Editorial Reviews
Product Description

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.

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All Customer Reviews
Average Customer Review: 4 out of 5 stars

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

4 out of 5 stars

Big Papi is too cool, 2008-07-15
This book is a combination of a narrative by David Ortiz and some background information by Tony Mazzaroti. Both aspects of the book are informative, especially the Mazzaroti part when he is explaining the rational the Twins used in releasing Ortiz. It has been mentioned in other reviews; the use of the words Bro' and Killin' get a bit weary, but it does feel as if you are having a conversation with Big Papi. The part of the book I really enjoyed is the insight as to how it is to grow up in the Dominican Republic and try to work your way through farm systems to the majors. I have always found the process of becoming an elite athlete fascinating and this book just reinforces most athletes do not "come from nowhere" and become superstars. They have to work hard, have some luck and hope for the best. It appears to have worked out for David Ortiz and he realizes just how lucky he is.

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

3 out of 5 stars

Bro, 2008-06-23
Too much use of the word "Bro" for me, otherwise, the book was rather light but informative.

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

2 out of 5 stars

Wanted to like this but couldn't, 2008-06-03
I am a huge sports fan and I have nothing against Ortiz. He seems like a nice guy and he's certainly a great player. But this book was just not very good. There was nothing controversial or interesting that Ortiz said in the book. Also,the constant ending of sentences in "bro" was extremely annoying.

Ortiz, trying too hard to be the good team player, defends Grady Little's disastrous decision to leave Pedro Martinez in the 7th game of the 2003 ALCS. Sorry, nobody's buying that. We saw the game. Pedro was done, period. While the 2004 Red Sox comeback is an interesting story, there are several books that tell it better. I cannot recommend this book.

One thing I cannot resist mentioning: Ortiz says of his native Domincan Republic that people are so poor they often cannot afford health care. Uh,David,a.k.a Big Papi, whatever you call yourself, are you not aware that there are millions of Americans who cannot afford health care? I know you're a multimillionaire athlete, but can you really be that out of touch?

P.S. I am not a Yankees fan.

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

5 out of 5 stars

Big Papi Deserves All The Respect He Gets!, 2008-05-09
What Big Papi has done in really such a short period of time as a Boston Red Sox is phenomenal. He has made the city of Boston and all of America fall in love with him by his big personality, love of the game and the respect he shows his team mates and fans alike, and it shows in this book.

He was very honest about the love he had for his team mates in Minnesota but how unhappy he was with the management and ownership of the Twins who did not really know what to do with him. He did not show any bitterness, just a sadness that things could not have turned out differently.

But, then it worked out for the best how he explains Pedro Martinez played a big part in him getting offered a contract by Boston and the rest we can say is history.

Through the book, you can just tell the love and joy that Big Papi has for his family, his team mates, the city of Boston and the game of baseball. You get a lot of insight into how the man thinks and why this sport is so important to him.

You don't have to just be a Red Sox fan to enjoy this book.

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

4 out of 5 stars

Papi Rules!, 2008-03-05
I found this book to be a good one. I like how it feels like Papi is talking right to you. It gives you a look at how it feels to be a big league ball player. Being a Red Sox fan, I especially enjoyed when he became a Red Sox player and all his clutch hits!! Just fantastic! A must read for all Red Sox fans!!

--Gerard Zemek, husband of author of "My Funny Dad, Harry"

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