In an interview with Tom Verducci for this week’s Sports Illustrated, in which Ortiz guest-edited the magazine, David Ortiz recalled his iconic walk-off, two-run homer off Yankees reliever Paul Quantrill in Game 4 of the 2004 ALCS with great clarity.
Ortiz remembers the pitch he hit well, a “front-door sinker,” considering he was expecting it.
“He threw it to me all the time,” Ortiz said. “When you see him, ask him, What did you throw Papi back then to get him out? Front-door sinker. Because he’s got a good one. It starts at you, and then boom, comes back.