Congratulations to Big Papi for killing it at the Home Run Derby, hitting 32 homers. I think the big guy needed it. I also think it’s finally safe to say, that he’s got his swing back. No, not just because he hit all those BP balls out of the park, but because he really has come back from the dark months of April and May when he found himself even getting benched. He kept telling us he’d figure it out and now he’s up to .263 and has hit 18 homers, tied for eighth in the AL, tied for first with YOUKK (who once again got screwed on the All-Star cut) on the Sox. Well done.
BUT, if his decision to participate in the derby screws up his swing and he slumps again, this congratulations might be withdrawn.
Also, Papi needs to chill. Now he wants an extension? Does he realize that he’s about to be 35? Does he realize that the last time he hit over 50 homers was in 2006? That the last time he hit over 30 was in 2007? Boston loves their Teddy Bear, but there’s still half a season left, and he needs to prove he’s worth [...]

By: Zach Comtois, YawkeyTalkies Correspondent
We’ve all been thinking about this for a month. Some of us have given up wondering, some are angry, and some remain hopeful. It’s time for us to get it out into the open. What’s going on with Ortiz? I’d like to take a moment of your time and explain what I feel is going on with the former big slugger.
We all know his history with the Red Sox not only as a power home run hitter with a high batting average, but easily the most clutch hitter in Red Sox history. I’m not going to get into the steroid aspect of this debate, because the only solid proof we’ve had is that someone sprung said fact onto Ortiz before a ballgame, and he dealt with that by smacking out a few homers.
So let’s look at the current situation: Ortiz is currently batting a .156 with 7 hits per 45 at bats. He has walked five times, was caught stealing in his only attempt, snapped his homerless streak the other night with a big fly, and has three RBI’s. This puts him on pace to not do too much (if any) damage this season.
Don’t get me [...]