Ortiz: 'It's Not How You Start; It's How You Finish'
FORT MYERS, Fla. (CBS) - Over the last two seasons, David Ortiz had some trouble getting off on the right foot.
Last season, Ortiz hit just .143 (8 for 56) in April with 1 HR and 4 RBI. He had a tougher time the previous year, when he had just 1 HR and 18 RBI by June 1 and was batting .185 through the first two months.
What can he do to make sure he doesn't have a third straight slow start?
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Jonny Miller spoke with Ortiz.
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"I'm just going to try to hit the damn baseball like always," said Ortiz. "It's not how you start; It's how you finish. Remember that."
This season, Ortiz may have an easier time with new additions Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez adding some serious thump to the lineup.
"With (Crawford), it was fun to watch him running on the other side. It's gonna be even better now that he's on this side, so we don't have to have that headache," said Ortiz.
Ortiz expects the usual from Gonzalez.
"A lot of bumps and a .330 batting average," said Ortiz.
Big Papi said he hasn't thought about where Terry Francona might slot him in the lineup. Some have suggested Ortiz could hit fifth, while others said he could hit sixth in the order.
"I'm always gonna find somebody on base no matter where I'm at, because we got some lightning and thunder," said Ortiz.
Ortiz is also not concerned with the big expectations for this season.
"I think that as long as we win, and get into the playoffs, it doesn't matter how much you win. What matters is be in it," said Ortiz.
