This column originally ran in The Standard-Times on July 17, 2016.

By Nick Tavares
Pʀᴇsᴇɴᴛ Tᴇɴsᴇ

The All-Star Game didn’t have my undivided attention last week. There were errands to run and a life to live and I didn’t sit down at full attention for its entire four hours.

But I did catch both of David Ortiz’s at-bats in the game — a hot-shot to Anthony Rizzo at first base, and then a walk where Jose Fernandez playfully refused to pitch to him.

He smiled, trotted down to first, and then received a full ovation from both teams as he walked off for a pinch runner. It’s been an incredible season and the accolades keep coming for him.

So while we’re at it, handing him the Most Valuable Player award would be nice, too.

I try to ride the line between keeping an eye on the MVP race and dangerously slipping over into getting emotionally and worthlessly invested in it. At 17, I would’ve screamed at strangers about the injustice of Ivan Rodriguez pulling ahead of Pedro Martinez for the 1999 MVP. At 34, I’m happier just to see how it shakes out.

And in this season celebrating all-things David Ortiz, it’s definitely been fun to watch as he hangs in there with players 10 and 15 years his junior.

Awards can be inherently dumb and aren’t always as significant as they seem in the moment. Think back to how often Jeff Burroughs’ 1974 MVP is discussed, or how revered Justin Morneau is for winning in 2006. Morneau edged out Derek Jeter for his trophy, while Burroughs slipped in past Joe Rudi, Sal Bando, Reggie Jackson and Catfish Hunter — teammates on the dynastic A’s who all inadvertently worked to split the vote.

The ’74 A’s and Jeter have fared just fine in the long run. But more often than not, the MVP helps give shape to a player’s resume, and having one is typically more memorable than All-Star trips or leading the league in OPS in a given season.

Ortiz has more than that in his favor — he has a 2004 ALCS MVP and a 2013 World Series MVP to his name — and he’s had more than a few close calls to the biggest trophy.

He finished in the top five in MVP voting for five straight seasons from 2003-07, topping out in second place in 2005 behind Alex Rodriguez, and cracked the top 10 one more time in 2013. Even without that significant piece of hardware, his case as an all-time great and one of the five greatest Red Sox to ever step in the batter’s box has been secure.

What then, if he were to add that to his mantle on his farewell tour?

The numbers are certainly in his favor. Through the All-Star break, he was leading the league in doubles, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, OPS, OPS+ and intentional walks. Along with that, he was second in RBIs, fourth in batting average, sixth in total bases and tied for ninth in home runs. Outside of Mike Trout and Josh Donaldson, it’s hard to argue anyone has been as good a hitter in the American League.

His OPS+ is ridiculous, too. He currently sits at 184, which would be the highest of his career if the season ended now. The rest of his counting stats — like his 22 home runs or 72 RBI — would already count as an excellent season for a 40 year old.

His season, so far, has been absurd. If that keeps being mentioned, it’s because it still feels so unbelievable with each passing game.

That’s because watching Ortiz on a day-to-day basis continues to be a blast. This combination of towering personality and monstrous ability is not one we’re likely to just fall into again. As safe as the team is going down the road with Mookie Betts, Xander Bogaerts and Jackie Bradley Jr. at the core, none of them are Ortiz, because no one is Ortiz.

He could slow down as the season rolls on and his feet ache more and more. Trout, Donaldson or another player could take off and push his team into the playoffs. It’s a long way to October and there’s plenty in the way of another award.

But even if he doesn’t get it, this week has been a reminder that he never really needed it.

Nick Tavares' column appears Sundays in The Standard-Times and at SouthCoastToday.com. He can be reached at nick@nicktavares.com