Mariano had the single best pitch I've ever faced-David Ortiz, The Players' Tribune, 9/27/16

9/27/16, "Thanks for the Memories, New York," David Ortiz, The Players' Tribune

"But that’s why I’m gonna miss this rivalry so much. Because we were perfect opposites. Everything we had in Boston, New York had an answer for it. 

Manny was the best power hitter I’ve ever seen, but Mariano had the single best pitch I’ve ever faced. Trying to hit for power against Rivera’s cutter was impossible. He broke so many bats that Louisville Slugger should be paying for his pool. Against Mariano, all you were gonna get was a bloop. He was on another level....

When I came to this country and I was trying to make it to the big leagues, I looked at guys like Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera, and I was almost in awe. When I got to play against the Yankees my first few years, I would watch some of the things Jeter would do in the field like I was just a fan.

I learned a lot from watching DJ. I never got to tell him that when he was playing, but I did. The way he handled his business, and how much respect he had for this game, it made me want to be a better player. 

For real, I looked forward to hitting doubles against the Yankees so I could get to second base and say what’s up to DJ. 

He never said too much. If I wasn’t hitting good, he might say something like, “How you doing? Haven’t seen you in a while.”"...
 

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