‘Big Papi’ Documentary Debuts on Epix Thursday

Ortiz-SmileAfter parts of six years with the Minnesota Twins, David Ortiz hadn’t distinguished himself as anything near the player and personality he would become. Released by the Twins after what had been his best season in 2002 (.272/.339/.500; 20 HR, 75 RBI), the 26-year-old signed with Boston, and the legend of “Big Papi” was born.

Twelve stellar years later, though Yankees fans would be loath to admit it, the slugger has Hall of Fame credentials, and his string of success while with the Red Sox includes a home run crown, two RBI titles, countless huge clutch hits and, most importantly, three World Series victories.

There has been some controversy along the way, involving enhancing drugs and clashes with the media, but there is no doubt that “Papi” is loved in Boston, and he’s been a polarizing figure everywhere else.

The EPIX Original Documentary, David Ortiz In The Moment, offers baseball fans in and around “Red Sox Nation” a close-up look at Ortiz’s life. The special, produced by Relativity Sports in conjunction with Major League Baseball Productions, traces Ortiz’s path from The Dominican Republic to stardom and lets us into “Big Papi’s” world.

David Ortiz In the Moment makes its World Television Premiere on Thursday at 8 p.m. ET/PT.