BOSTON - Okay, so maybe the Yankees are Pedro Martinez's "daddy."
But then what should the Yankees think of David Ortiz?
"The Yankees really have to think about who's their Papi," Martinez said.
Ortiz was known as Big Papi even before his legend grew with walkoff hits on consecutive nights to keep the Red Sox alive and keep the Yankees from clinching the AL pennant.
Early Monday morning, Ortiz hit a two-run 12th-inning homer that gave the Red Sox a 6-4 victory.
Late Monday night, he battled through a 10-pitch at-bat against Esteban Loaiza and delivered a single with two outs in the 14th that scored the winning run.
"Ortiz has been awesome," said Johnny Damon, who scored the winner from second. "We're in this situation because of him."
Ortiz hit a homer in the eighth that started Boston's tying rally, struck out to lead off the 10th and walked, and, amazingly, was caught trying to steal in the 11th.
So what was his thinking in the 14th?
"I've got to get something done here," he said. "They have guys that can change things with one swing."
His teammates couldn't have been more appreciative.
"What David Ortiz has done is miraculous," outfielder Gabe Kapler said. "It's phenomenal. He's carried us on his shoulders."
"I didn't realize how good he was until I got here," said outfielder Dave Roberts, acquired from Los Angeles in a midseason trade. "Every at-bat is a quality at-bat. He's putting 24 guys on his back and willing us to victory."
The walkoff homer in Game 4 was his second in 10 days. Ortiz ended the division series against Anaheim by hitting a two-run 10th-inning home run for an 8-6 victory.
It wouldn't be right to call Ortiz Mr. October, not with the original, Reggie Jackson, in the house and several potential successors in pinstripes, such as Derek Jeter and, if the way they've played this postseason is an indication, Hideki Matsui and Alex Rodriguez.
