Big Papi: My Story of Big Dreams and Big Hits [Paperback]

David Ortiz (Author), Tony Massarotti (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2008

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.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

"If you hear something bad about David Ortiz, it's a lie." So says Ortiz's former teammate Torri Hunter, summing up the general consensus on Ortiz, one of baseball's most beloved superstars. With help from Boston Herald columnist Massarotti, 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. Alternating between Massarotti's third-person summaries and Ortiz's first-person accounts, the book paints a portrait of Ortiz as confident and driven, despite the doubt of scouts and managers. Even though he relies on clichés ("Life is unpredictable, bro") and occasionally mismanages a sentence, Ortiz's voice is charming-even glowing-throughout. Ortiz's affability makes the book a quick read, but devoid of dirt or controversy; though he does air grievances toward the Minnesota Twins, who first changed his swing before releasing him, Oritz gives Twins general manager Terry Ryan space to explain his decisions. A good book by a good guy, this will please fans, but won't reveal much they don't already know.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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 Ortiz’s remarkable story.”---Publishers Weekly

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Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin (April 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312383444
• ISBN-13: 978-0312383442
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #205,627 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Big Papi: My Story of Big Dreams and Big Hits, June 7, 2007

By 

Glenn Paul (Boston MA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Big Papi: My Story of Big Dreams and Big Hits (Hardcover)

I have been a Red Sox and die-hard Boston sport fan since the mid 50's and have read many sports books especially on the local teams and personalities. Big Papi was a very fast reading and insightful story on major league and minor league baseball, the business and individual personal side, as well as the plight of the many foreign players bonding together in a strange land and the brotherhood that remains among them.

A completely different caring side of Pedro Martinez for his fellow countrymen was a interesting sidebar. Tony Massarotti from the Boston Herald does a excellent job in telling David Ortiz's story, a real gentle caring giant with much more than the "extraordinary ability to perform under pressure" and the leader that ended fifty years of misery for me. I wish my father and grandfathers were still alive to have enjoyed it. Thank you Papi.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book About A Great Person, April 23, 2007

By 

Scrooge (Cygnus X1) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Big Papi: My Story of Big Dreams and Big Hits (Hardcover)

You cant help but love Big Papi. This book is just further proof of Papi's triumphs on and off the field. He overcame a lot to get where he is today, and this book tells you the whole story. He is a unique individual that has given back to the community ten fold. Hes a great baseball player, but he's even a better human being.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars EXCELLENT!!, April 25, 2007

By 

Terry Gordon "terrygordon" (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Big Papi: My Story of Big Dreams and Big Hits (Hardcover)

This is not one of those typical celebrity books that goes on for pages about how great the author is. This is an amazing story about a man who overcame everything to get to where he is. It's got heartbreak, humor, great baseball stories and insight into who Big Papi really is. Truly an excellent, excellent book.