To Red Sox slugger David Ortiz, pitcher Curt Schilling's performance in Game 6 of the ALCS was his most exciting moment in last season's run to the world championship.

09:57 AM EST on Tuesday, February 22, 2005

BY STEVEN KRASNER
Journal Sports Writer

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- The DVD is getting worn out, if that's possible.

The images show the Boston Red Sox storming their way to their first World Series title in 86 years. And by now, David Ortiz knows the scenes by heart.

AP photo

The Red Sox' David Ortiz, working out on his first day at training camp, says he's watched the video of the team's run to the World Series countless times.

"I watch it over and over and over," said Ortiz, flashing his trademark smile, meeting the media yesterday at the Sox' minor-league complex on reporting day for the regulars.

And when he does, Ortiz can bask in some momentous, dramatic blasts that he provided in sparking Boston to its long-coveted world championship.

All Ortiz did in the postseason was bat .400 with five homers, 19 RBI and a .515 on-base percentage. He had 11 RBI in winning unaninmous MVP honors in the Sox' historic comeback that snatched the American League Championship Series from the New York Yankees.

His most memorable postseason moments were the walkoff homers he crushed to give the Sox their three-game sweep of Anaheim in the A.L. Division Series, and the two-run, 12th-inning blast that helped stave off elimination in Game 4 of the ALCS.

Ortiz's 14th-inning walkoff game-

winning single in Game 5 of the ALCS wasn't so bad, either, making him the first player to end three games in a single postseason with a base hit.

So which moment was his personal favorite?

None of the above, said Ortiz yesterday.

"The most exciting moment for me was watching Curt Schilling, bleeding to death and pitching [in Game 6 of the ALCS]. That [competitive] look on his face. There was nothing more exciting than watching Curt out there with the bad ankle, bleeding, in bad weather. I was like, 'When I was growing up, Captain America was my hero. Now you are,' " said Ortiz with a laugh.

In two short years, Ortiz has become a baseball hero in Boston. On the field, the 6-foot-4, 230-pounder has blossomed into one of the majors' most dangerous powerful clutch hitters. In the clubhouse, Ortiz, who turned 29 last November, has been a positive force, as well.

"He's maybe the quickest person to smile I've been around," said manager Terry Francona. "He has a demeanor that's great for the long haul. Guys like being around him. But he takes his job seriously. He takes every at-bat seriously. And the numbers he put up in the postseason were fantastic. They propelled him to a different level in people's eyes."

But don't expect Ortiz's personality to change. It's quite unlikely his hat size will expand. And he will remain serious about his job, which is to mash a baseball with as much ferocity as his large frame will allow.

Indeed, he keeps getting better.

Since the Minnesota Twins let him go, Ortiz has had two monster seasons with the Sox. In 2003, Ortiz established career highs with a .288 batting average, 31 homers and 101 RBI. Last year, he shattered those numbers, batting .301 with 41 homers and 139 RBI.

Ortiz suffered a strained right shoulder in an ugly slide at home plate late in the season and declined to play winter ball so the shoulder could heal. Yesterday, he said his shoulder is fine, and he had no doubters after launching several long drives during batting practice, including a broken-bat homer that sailed over the right-field fence at the 330-foot marker.

"I think in this game, the more experience you get, the better player you become. I keep learning. Every day I try to get better. If I had a bad day, when I go home I can't just go to sleep. My wife says I worry too much, that I'm going to get old, but the longer you take games personal, you'll get the most out of it," said Ortiz.

While he's fretting over the uncharacteristic bad swings or unfortunate results, Ortiz doesn't fall into a deep funk.

"You have to stay positive," said Ortiz. "If you do, there's a lot of [high] percentages of getting what you want. That's me."

It's also not in Ortiz to carp about his contract. During last season, he signed an extension with the Sox that will pay him $12.5 million for this year and next, with the Sox holding a $7.75-million option for 2007. There will be a $750,000 buyout if the option isn't picked up.

At $5.25 million this year and $6.5 million for 2006, Ortiz is a relative steal for the Sox. He likely would have commanded much more had he gone on the free-agent market this winter, especially given his otherworldy postseason.

Ortiz, though, has no complaints.

"I'm happy with what I've got. You've got to appreciate being part of this organization, with so many good things happening," said Ortiz.

While Ortiz would prefer to play first base on a regular basis, he knows Francona isn't likely to use him there. Kevin Millar is the first baseman, and David McCarty, in camp as a non-roster invitee, may make the team as a defensive replacement.

Otherwise, life is a series of happy days for Ortiz. And he has spread that cheer to the Sox' fans.

"The other day, I was at Disneyworld with my family and a 14-year-old girl came up to me and she was crying," said Ortiz. "I said, 'Hey, what happened?' She said, 'I'm just happy to meet you. You made my family feel great with what you did, Big Papi. My grandfather passed away, my grand-grandfather passed away, expecting to see the team win the Series."

Now it's a new year. But it's the same Big Papi, ready to wreak more havoc on opposing pitchers.