David Ortiz was released by the Twins in December of 2002. The Twins has just been knocked out of the ALCS by the Angels and their Rally Monkey two months earlier. While the Twins did manage to win a game against the Yankees in 2003, they Then proceeded to lose the final three of that series, and then: 3 in 2004 (NY) 3 in 2006 (Oak) 3 in 2010 (NY) 1 in 2017 (NY) 3 in 2019 (NY) 2 in 2020 (Houston) The Red Sox have gone on to win four titles, in 2004, 2007, 2013, and 2018. (Granted, Big Papi only played in the first three.)