Twins GM takes 'full responsibility' for releasing David Ortiz after 2002 season
Is everybody familiar with the term "Great White Buffalo?"
Essentially, it's another term for "the one that got away." The one person (or thing, job, etc.) that, for one reason or another, is no longer with you and will likely never return.
For Minnesota Twins GM Terry Ryan, David Ortiz is his Great White Buffalo.
In speaking with MLB.com, Ryan was very upfront about his decision to release Ortiz after the 2002 season.
"There's no hiding that one," Ryan said. "You can put that one in there and lock it down. I'm not running from it. I'm proud of what he's done. Obviously, it was a mistake. The guy has been a great representation of the Boston Red Sox and Major League Baseball for a long time. And it's Boston's gain and Minnesota's loss. And I take full responsibility."
Ortiz played in parts of four seasons with the Twins, slashing a modest .266/.348/.461 with 58 homers and 238 RBI in 455 games. He, of course, would go on to sign with the Red Sox and become one of the games most prolific hitters. In 13 seasons with Boston, he's slashed .288/.385/.566 with 445 homers and 1,403 RBI.
This upcoming season will be Ortiz's last -- the 40-year-old announced his plans to retire in a self-published piece last November.
