By: Katie Dugan
Nearly a week after the 2013 Boston Mayoral Election, it is no secret that the Bostonians are putting their trust into David Ortiz now more than ever. According to the Boston Election Department, most of the 560 write-in votes were cast in favor of the designated hitter taking the place of Thomas Menino. Seriously.
In the end, state Representative Marty Walsh received 52 percent of the votes, beating out City Councilor John Connolly, who received 48 percent of the votes. A close race indeed, but it seems both candidates want the best for the people of Boston. After the election had ended, Connolly said of Walsh: “He wants to do good things for Boston, and he will do good things for Boston, and he has my full support.”
All this mayoral talk got me thinking, what if David Ortiz was elected? Would he make a good mayor? Well, his nickname is not “Big Papi” just for giggles.
He has attitude for the job. Boston is a strong city, and we need someone who will stand up for what we believe in and will do whatever it takes to get business done. Every once in a while you need to smash a bat on the side of the bullpen to show that you are not one to mess with.
You can count on him when you need him. When he steps up to the plate, the fans know what to expect. He never ceases to disappoint. He always delivers when his team needs him the most.
He can be civilized with New Yorkers. Ortiz is an all-around class act. This is a quality that is vital for politicians to have. You need to be able to have civil discussions with your enemies on occasion. As they always say, compromise is key. But he never fails to remind them who is boss. 2004 ALCS, anyone?
He is a good guy. He has got that charisma similar to Bill Clinton or Barack Obama that makes you enjoy talking to him. When he talks to his fans, he genuinely cares about what they have to say. You want a mayor that will listen to you and take your words into consideration.
It is not completely unheard of for athletes to become politicians. Jon Runyan, offensive tackle for the Philadelphia Eagles, now a U.S. Congressman. Dave Bing, seven time All-Star guard for the NBA, along with a slew of other accomplishments, now the mayor of Detroit. If Ortiz ever decided he wanted to play politics instead of baseball, his popularity among Bostonians would certainly give him a head start on the game.
He dedicates his time to charity. In 2011, the Red Sox slugger received the Roberto Clemente Award for his community service contributions and value to his team. Ortiz has done a substantial amount of charitable work for children in the United States, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic.
He loves Boston. Just like the rest of us. This past year has been a roller coaster ride for Boston. In the aftermath of the Boston Marathon Bombing, David Ortiz and the rest of the Red Sox did everything they could to help a city heal. After his short but memorable speech at Fenway, he quickly became a face to the phrase “Boston Strong.”
So there you have it. Sure, David Ortiz does not have any kind of political background, but what he does have is love for this city. There is no doubt in my mind that Marty Walsh will do great things for Boston. But come on, Big Papi, what do you say? Is it time for a run?
