Big Papi and The General

I'm not a Boston Red Sox fan, but I can't help but notice the decline in offensive production by David Ortiz a/k/a "Big Papi." Once a feared hitter, his batting average has now slipped below the "Mendoza Line" and seems to be in free fall. In one game against the Mets this weekend, he struck out three times. The one time he made contact with the ball, he hit into a double play.

Out of respect for his (previously) clutch play, his manager, Terry Francona has had Ortiz bat third. However, it seems likely that he will now bat lower in the order until he gets his numbers up. (And that appears to be a big "if" at this point as he strikes out every four times he bats. )

Officially, he's listed as 33, but there's been a pattern of players born in the Dominican Republican to shave off a few years off. He could be older.

In all likelihood, Big Papi may be on the downside of what was a remarkable few years in Boston.

General Colin Powell, an ostensible Republican, is on the downside of his public life. Since he has never desired to run for public office and has already served as Secretary of State, where can he go?

For better or worse -- history will be the ultimate arbiter -- he was part of the effort that resulted in what we now know as Operation Iraq Freedom. That will be his link to posterity.

Therefore, his concern is limited to legacy maintenance -- being a centrist in a time of tumult rather than the neocon who led us to war. So, with limited, nay, no skills at building a party, he leaps from one Sunday talk show to the other to speak poorly of Rush Limbaugh. Alas, his efforts don't go beyond sound bytes.

The media will always accommodate a disgruntled Republican, especially one with the cachet of Mr. Powell, who is upset about a party that he thinks has swung too far to the right. (Seemingly the Reagan Administration was moderate enough for him, go figure.) He will always have the opportunity air his grievances.

Where Big Papi has tried to be productive, Colin Powell, remains content by simply criticizing the current GOP. In the end, neither is helping his team.