Hallelujah. The planets are aligned. Order has been restored in the baseball universe. David Ortiz finally has a home run.
"I feel like I got my confidence back," Ortiz said after the game. "I feel like a real hitter, not like the punch and judy hitter I've been the first 40 games . . . swing like a man."
Free at last, Papi rounded the bases (lucky he didn't need a GPS) and got a big hug from Kevin Youkilis after crossing the plate. The men in the Sox dugout initially greeted Ortiz with the traditional silent treatment, then mobbed him as the crowd called out for more.
The Fenway legions wanted a curtain call.
Ortiz obliged.
It was a moment. Where else would this happen? In what other town could your slugger go homerless for 35 games, drop to .200, then be summoned from the dugout for a tip of the cap? This is why the truly great ones love playing here.
"I would do anything for these fans," said Big Papi. "The fans have been so supportive since I've been here. The biggest thing about the whole situation is the fans."
And his teammates?
"The guys gave me the silent treatment," he said. "I know [Dustin] Pedroia had a lot to do with that. I get so much support from everybody here. I never forget about my teammates."
"You could see the sheer joy in the dugout," said Terry Francona. "His teammates and the way the fans treat him is pretty special."
Several other things happened on this wacky night at the museum. Jason Varitek hit two homers on the same date (Cher's birthday) in which he once had a three-homer game. The catcher also drew an intentional walk. The Sox hit four homers in one inning before somebody nudged Cito Gaston and had him pull his starter. Jacoby Ellsbury qualified for the Penn Relays, tying a big-league record with 12 catches in center field. Hit machine Youkilis returned to the lineup and cranked three singles to raise his average to .404, Ortiz added a Wall double in the eighth. The Sox beat the division leaders for a second straight night.
But there was only one talking point at game's end: Big Papi's homer.
It was the weight of all weights - Robbie Robertson squared. Ortiz had a piano on his back and Vince Wilfork on his shoulder. He was feeling about half past dead even though he had regards from everyone.
