Red Sox celebrate David Ortiz before final spring training home game
FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Boston celebrated David Ortiz’s two decades of spring training in Fort Myers with a pregame ceremony before his final home exhibition game, a 5-3 loss to the Baltimore Orioles on Monday.
Ortiz announced on his 40th birthday in November that this will be his final season. He trained in Fort Myers with the Minnesota Twins and then since 1993 with the Red Sox.
Gift #1: @davidortiz now has his own road at @FenwaySouth! David Ortiz Way! #ThanksPapi 💪 pic.twitter.com/0yIRC5tamL
— Red Sox (@RedSox) March 28, 2016
Gift #2: A seat from each park @davidortiz played in during his 20 years in Fort Myers! #ThanksPapi 💪 pic.twitter.com/FcNfp9nfMm
— Red Sox (@RedSox) March 28, 2016
A closer look at Gift #3!#ThanksPapi 💪 pic.twitter.com/Pn3RVu98x4
— Red Sox (@RedSox) March 28, 2016
Ortiz went 0 for 3 and left after the sixth inning in a golf cart decorated with his number 34 and the flag of the Dominican Republic on its roof. The cart was driven by a pair of former Red Sox starts: Hall of Famer Jim Rice and Luis Tiant.
That’s one way to exit a game. #ThanksPapi 💪 pic.twitter.com/NwbfpwUuwS
— Red Sox (@RedSox) March 28, 2016
Xavier Avery, Nolan Reimold and Francisco Pena homered for the Orioles, with Avery connecting on Rick Porcello’s second pitch of the game.
David Ortiz – Best moments as a member of the Red Sox
[bdc-gallery id=”119803″]
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com