David Ortiz, no. 34

Well, it was guaranteed to happen. Of course, I didn't think it would happen quite that quickly but when you lead as exciting a life as my own, you come to expect that sort of thing.

Birth Date: November 18, 1975 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Height/Weight: 6'4", 230

Contract: 4 years for $52 million (through 2010)

Last season, David Ortiz had a monster Batting Average of .332. His On Base Percentage was a very impressive .445. His Slugging was a mighty impressive .621 and his On Base Plus Slugging (1.066) was one one-thousandth of a point behind the league leader (Alex Rodriguez.) He hit 35 Home Runs (19% of his total hits) and his Runs Created for last season was 151.

David Ortiz is a charmer, well loved by everyone. The simple evidence of this is the way that he talks to everyone he encounters on the field and eventually they all talk back to him. He's got a smile that could light up a room and a good relationship with all of his teammates. It's almost hard to talk about him without sounding like I'm gushing.

He has had health problems in the past. In 2006, he was diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat but cleared to continue playing. This season, he battled a torn meniscus in his right knee and shoulder problems. He had surgery on the knee after the season was over and judging by the way he's been strutting around at basketball and football games I would guess that he's recovering nicely.

I can see Ortiz having a better year in 2008 than he had in 2007, which is extremely impressive. I suppose it could go the other way if his health problems catch up with him. If he takes care of himself, and he seems like the type to do so, then he should be all right.

Lets just leave it as he's a great baseball player and a great person.