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COPYRIGHT 2005 South Florida Sun-Sentinal
Byline: Mike Berardino
BOSTON _ Less than an hour to game time, and David Ortiz is prowling through a deserted Red Sox clubhouse in a huge navy robe that looks like it belongs on a boxer.
His name and No. 34 are stitched on the back, along with the Red Sox logo on the left sleeve. His head bobs along to the eardrum-piercing sounds of Jay-Z that fill the room.
Ortiz's lips mouth the lyrics from The Black Album, and at this very moment it seems the man known as Big Papi has about 99 fewer problems than the rap impresario.
Seated at the next locker is Johnny Pesky, the octogenarian shortstop and living link to Ted Williams. Pesky, who turns 86 on Tuesday, holds up a leathery hand and Ortiz slaps it.
At the opposite end of the clubhouse, Boston third baseman Bill Mueller tries in vain to continue a cell phone conversation. He leans forward in his chair, presses a hand over his free ear, but finally gives up and heads for a break room.
He doesn't say a word to Big Papi, though. You can play your music as loud as you like when you lead the American League in home runs and RBI.
You can do pretty much what you wish when you're threatening to become the first full-time designated hitter to earn Most Valuable Player honors. Don Baylor was the DH in 65 games for the `79 Angels when he won the AL MVP that year, and that remains the record.
Ortiz has played first base just 10 times this season.
Manny Being Manny? That act has just about run its course at Fenway Park. But there is no stopping Papi Being Papi.
Not even the equally huge season of Yankees third...
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