Is Ortiz finally getting it?

By Brendan Hall
Fan Fanatic Sports

After not hitting a home run in the first five weeks of the season, David Ortiz now has four in the last nine games, including his solo shot into the Marlins' bullpen tonight. Big Papi's shot started a six-run fourth inning, and then his two-run single finished it. He's now batting .210, after stumbling below the Mendoza line earlier this season.

Is this finally the moment we've been waiting for since last August? Is Papi finally out of his mecha-slump?

I tend to believe so. Earlier this season, reports surfaced that claimed Ortiz was actually 35, which with more substance might be a solid answer to why he's gone through such a slump. I tend to think the problem with his slump was two-fold.

First, when you're a power hitter carrying that much weight, staying in shape is imperative once you're over 30 years old. Just ask Cecil Fielder or Mo Vaughn. I'm not saying the man sits on his butt when the season's over, but at the same time I'm not convinced Papi endures an off-season regimen as brutal as Kevin Youkilis or Dustin Pedroia.

Second, sluggers like Papi are inevitably going to lose their power as they grow older, and in turn need to adjust their approach at the plate to stay competitive. Just ask Frank Thomas.

Those two elements, in my opinion, led to such a long slump for No. 34.

Will he stay out, now that he's on a tear?