Big Papi Hits the Big 4-0

Who could have imagined that when the Twins let David Ortiz go at the end of the 2002 season, he'd go onto become one of the most beloved players in Red Sox history -- and arguably, the greatest DH ever? Yet, that's exactly what's happened over the past 13 seasons.
A power-hitter who delivers in the clutch, he became the common thread connecting the Boston teams that shook off "the curse." Looming and feared as the game changer in the middle of the Sox lineup, Ortiz also crafted a lovable, larger-than-life image that translates well into commercials.
Yesterday, the day before he turned 40 -- and fresh off a 2015 where he belted 37 home runs and drove in more than 100 -- he announced that he'll retire after next season.
Three World Series championships and 445 regular season home runs later, "Big Papi" is likely on his way to Cooperstown.
While David Ortiz is the best player with a November 18th birthday, he's far from the only recognizable name. How many of these stir up a vivid image or memory?
  • Gary Sheffield, another member of the 500 home run club.
  • Jamie Moyer, who pitched 25 years in the majors -- and is the only player to throw shutouts in four different decades (the '80s through the 2010s).
  • Tom "Flash" Gordon, an outstanding reliever -- and the father of Marlins 2nd baseman Dee Gordon.
  • Steve Henderson, runner up for the 1977 NL Rookie of the Year title and the Phillies current batting coach.
  • Roy Sievers, the 1949 AL Rookie of the Year, who slugged over 300 home runs in a career that stretched from the St. Louis Browns to the 1960s Washington Senators.
  • The late Danny McDevitt, who threw a shutout in the Dodgers final home game at Ebbets Field and won 10 games for the L.A. club's first champions on the west coast.
  • The late Gene Mauch, who'll never escape the fate of managing two teams that famously collapsed -- his 1964 Phillies fell short of a pennant by losing 10 of their final 12 games, while his '82 Angels lost the ALCS to the Brewers after winning the first two games.

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