David Ortiz Signed Baseball From Kyle

When I went to the National this past year, I was really excited, because I was going to meet David Ortiz.  He ended up having a death in the family, so he wasn't able to attend.  I took the refund from Tristar, but my friend, Kyle, ended up sending off his ball for a later signing.

Kyle ended up getting two baseballs back, so he sold me this one, which has Tristar authentication.  I was really glad to make a deal and still get a ball signed by Ortiz.  I figured that there might be other players I want to see at next year's National, so I would go ahead and cross Ortiz off of my list.

Ortiz (b. 1975) played in the majors from 1997 to 2016 for the Twins and Red Sox.  He had 2,472 hits, 541 home runs and a .286 batting average.  He was a 10-time All Star (2004 to 2008, 2010 to 2013 and 2016) and a 7-time Silver Slugger Award winner (2004 to 2007, 2011, 2013 and 2016).  His best MVP finish was 2nd (AL, 2005).  He won the World Series with the Red Sox in 2004, 2007 and 2013.  He was the ALCS MVP in 2004 and the World Series MVP in 2013.  Ortiz was the AL home run champ in 2006 with 54 home runs.

Ortiz will appear on the 2022 Hall of Fame ballot, where he will face off against Alex Rodriguez, among others, who will be appearing on their first ballot.  Ortiz's case is a complex one, with steriod allegations and his career as a DH.

Interestingly, Ortiz was originally signed by the Mariners in 1992, then was sent to Minnesota as a Player to be Named Later in a trade for Dave Hollins.  Ortiz was released by the Twins in December of 2002, only to latch on with the Red Sox and go down in history as one of the players who helped snap the Curse of the Bambino.

Another Trade With Jake - Early David Ortiz and Sammy Sosa Cards

It can be hard, sometimes, keeping track of all of the people I've met and traded with.  This is very true recently with all of the instagram and kik messenger deals that I have made.  One of the people I've met that I really have taken a liking to is Jake.  I've posted about him before, when I got a Jeter Minor League card in exchange for a Bryce Harper RC.  This time around, I sent Jake a couple 2014 Bowman Kris Bryant cards and in return, he sent me this early David Ortiz card, a 1998 Fleer Ultra.  This isn't (obviously) his David Arias RC, but it is still a cool card.

The other card Jake sent was this 1990 Star Minor League card of Sammy Sosa when he played for the Charlotte Rangers.  Look at his hair.  Gotta love the early 90s.

Anyway, Jake is a really awesome guy and I am glad to have completed another trade with him.  I know we will be doing some more, especially because we are in negotiations for one right now!