Papi's Back!!!

I have a confession to make. It's difficult to admit but I feel that I must come clean to you, the Maniwaki faithful, in order to continue enjoying this '09 ball season.

...well, a few weeks ago, and after an incredibly painful and very drawn out drought,...I, well....


I dropped Big Papi from the Maniwaki fantasy roster.

...whew!

It was only for a matter of seconds mind you, perhaps a the better side of a minute in total, but for that brief period, the '04 titan, sat on the waiver wire. Immediately seeing this byline flash across the fantasy ticker "Maniwaki Maulers drop David Ortiz," I got an immediate feeling in my stomach as if someone had cracked me in the mid section with a Louisvile Slugger. And realized that I really just couldn't do it.

Papi was the #1 overall draft pick ever for my fantasy squad. The Skip and I cheered for him like we were possessed by demons during '04, turning La Pistol into a very rowdy sports bar for the duration of the 04 ALCS.

Like many members of the Nation, I was rooting for Papi during his recent slump. Amidst A- Rod and Manny, (still can't believe I just had to put them in the same sentence) the .197 average was really amounting into being a big red elephant that no one was talking about.

But after a few good at bats, he worked his way back into regular rotation in the Sox lineup, and back in the active utility spot on the Maniwaki lineup.

And look who's he's up right now against Javy Vasquez.

And no this isn't a Hollywood script so no, he didn't blast a Roy Hobbsian light shattering shot.

But he worked a 3-2 count with two outs to draw a walk.

That's as good enough for this fan.