Ortiz David - Big Papi : my story of big dreams and big hits

I n September 2005, as the Red Sox were preparing for a late season game at Tropicana Field against the Tampa Bay DeI vil Rays, the seeds for this project were planted. In between then and now, a host of people brought the flower to bloom.

Without them, the tale of Big Papi could not have been told.

From the start, David Ortiz embraced the idea of telling his story to the world with typical ease and warmth, both of which will serve as his true legacy to baseball fans and non-baseball fans alike. Ortizs team of agents and marketing representatives, Fernando Cuza, Diego Bentz, and Alex Radetsky, similarly welcomed the idea of this book, taking large blocks of time to speak with the writer while structuring a plan that accommodated all involved parties; attorney Lee Galkin, in particular, worked painstakingly when it came

time to finalize a contract. Scott Waxman and Farley Chase, both of the Waxman Literary Agency, negotiated in good faith between the author and writer, as well as with St. Martins Press, which expressed a genuine eagerness in this project from the start. St. Martins editor Marc Resnick and his staff (especially Rebecca Heller) demonstrated tremendous patience throughout the writing stages, working with both an author and writer who were unfamiliar with the process of an as told to account while agreeing to publish this work in both English and Spanish.

As is often the case, there were others, too, whose contributions might have gone unrecognized. Countless editors and aides at both St. Martins and SFX Baseball, the agency which represents Ortiz, took time to review chapters, suggest changes, and offer their opinions. Similar contributions were made by Red Sox publicist John Blake and his staff, Major League Baseball spokesman Pat Courtney and his aides (particularly Michael Teevan), Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig, and Los Angeles Dodgers bench coach Dave Jauss, all of whom willingly offered their assistance. In some cases, those people were quoted. In others, they simply helped fill in the inevitable cultural and translation gaps that result in any bilingual work.

Beyond that scope, numerous others offered their support, cooperation, and insights, be they on Major League Baseball, the Dominican Republic, or Ortiz himself. Major leaguers Pedro Martinez and Torii Hunter, both All-Stars and onetime teammates of Ortiz, were remarkably gracious and helpful, responding to interview requests with eagerness and sincerity; to each, we owe a tremendous debt of gratitude. Minnesota Twins general manager Terry Ryan was both forthright and accomodating, consistent with his reputation as one of the most decent, honest, and grounded men in baseball. Boston Red

Sox general manager Theo Epstein, one of the youngest and most accomplished executives in the game, similarly demonstrated commendable humbleness while helping to assemble the timeline on which Ortiz traveled to Fenway Park.

A special thanks, too, to Red Sox owner John Henry, team president Larry Lucchino, and vice-president of public affairs Charles Steinberg (as well as the entire Red Sox organization) for their willingness to support projects like this and for their commitment to keeping the Red Sox one of the most successful and competitive franchises in all of professional sports.

Finally, a special thanks to the fans of Major League Baseball, particularly in Boston, where the game remains a passion as in no other place. In the end, that interest and intensity are what make projects like this worthwhile and meaningful, and allow David Ortiz to step into the batters box, night after night after night, and be noticed for his remarkable accomplishments and feats.

In Boston, after all, it often seems as if the game is on the line with each and every pitch.