The Boston Red Sox had been unintentionally building a reputation as a losing franchise for decades.

When the new millennium started, their last World Series title had come in 1918.

But on this day, in 2003, their history would start to change for the better.

On this day, but 21 years ago, the Sox were signing a future Hall of Famer who took them to three World Series titles: David Ortiz.

“OTD in 2003 the @Redsox signed a guy named David Ortiz. He went on to become Big Papi! A 10-time All-Star, 7-time Silver Slugger, and 3-time World Series champion. In all he smashed 541 home runs and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2022!” MLB tweeted.

OTD in 2003 the @Redsox signed a guy named David Ortiz.

He went on to become Big Papi! A 10-time All-Star, 7-time Silver Slugger, and 3-time World Series champion. In all he smashed 541 home runs and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2022! pic.twitter.com/TtuU8e6el4

— MLB (@MLB) January 22, 2024

From 1997 to 1999, the defensively-limited Ortiz didn’t get too many opportunities with the Minnesota Twins.

However, he slowly started showing his bat was special, and in 2002 (his last season in the Twin Cities), he hit .272/.339/.500 with 20 homers and a .839 OPS.

The Red Sox took a chance, and he was a monster from the very first year he played with them.

In 2003, Ortiz slashed .288/.369/.592 with 31 home runs, 101 RBI, and a .961 OPS.

He formed a formidable duo with Manny Ramirez and together they took the Sox to the highest honor in 2004 after dramatically eliminating the New York Yankees during the greatest comeback in baseball history.

Ortiz would peak with 54 homers in 2006 and would win another Fall Classic in 2007 and then in 2013.

He was a top hitter in the league and retired in 2016 with 541 round-trippers.

He now has a place in Cooperstown among legends in the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

That’s a remarkable career for a guy that flew under the radar back in the day.