David Ortiz’s final season, in his own words
David Ortiz proved to be a powerful speaker in his Boston tenure.
When David Ortiz announced his forthcoming retirement last November, Red Sox Nation collectively knew it would be in for a season of emotional highs and lows.
Few could have predicted such polarity contrasting the two extremes though, given Ortiz’s historic departure at the ripe age of 40 and the team’s own departure from the playoffs in heartbreaking fashion. With the bow tied on Ortiz’s career, here is his farewell campaign, in his own words.
November 18, 2015: David Ortiz announces he plans to retire after the 2016 season
“I picked this day to announce that after next season, I’m going to be done with my career and playing baseball,” Ortiz said. “I thought a lot about it… Every single one of us, athletes-wise, we run out of time at some point. Life is based on different chapters and I think I’m ready to experience the next one in my life.”
December 3, 2015: Ortiz explains his decision at his charity golf tournament in the Dominican Republic
“It’s a process and it’s not a decision you make from day to night,” Ortiz said. “I pretty much was thinking about it for awhile and I had the opportunity to take my time and do it and once you take your time, I think there’s no regrets.”
March 4, 2016: Ortiz debuts at spring training in Fort Myers, for the last time
“I’m not worried about my beginning. I always worry about my finish.” Ortiz said.
https://www.facebook.com/davidortiz/photos/a.425403239835.199800.60844829835/10154032093699836/?type=3&theater
April 5, 2016: Ortiz homers for the first time of 2016 (his 504th)… in the first game
“When the lights go on, Papi goes on.” –@davidortiz #OpeningDay 💪 pic.twitter.com/dLQgsHeDQU
— Red Sox (@RedSox) April 5, 2016
April 6, 2016: Ortiz homers again… joining Ted Williams as only two 40-year-olds to homer in first two games
“I don’t want to hear about it,” Ortiz said. “That’s not going to make me feel any younger.”
April 9, 2016: Ortiz, and a grand slam by Brock Holt lead late comeback, Sox offense surges
“I like what I see,” Ortiz said. “Hopefully this is the plan. I know everybody is excited.” (Boston Globe)
April 10, 2016: Ortiz given a day off, young bats thrive anyway
“The young guys didn’t need the old guy,” Ortiz said. “I liked watching that game.” (Boston Globe)
April 11, 2016: Ortiz’s daughter, Alex, sings national anthem at home opener
“I’m not going to lie to you, I was more nervous during that time than including any at-bat that I have ever had in my career, and it wasn’t about me. It was about her,” Ortiz said. “Whoever has kids knows how that goes.”
April 16, 2016: Ortiz praises progress made by Rick Porcello en route to victory vs. Jays
“Porcello, last game he pitched, they scored some runs early, and then he kind of put it together. That was a good sign. Today, it was like the continuation of what he did last game. He looked real good,” Ortiz said.
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April 29, 2016: Ortiz’s 2-run shot against Betances leads Sox over Yanks late
“It wasn’t a bad pitch. I just put a good swing on it,” Ortiz said. (Boston Globe)
May 1, 2016: Ortiz, Sox sweep Yanks grab sole-possession of 1st place for first time
“You just keep building up your confidence. We had a good April, and now we’re going to try and have a good May,” Ortiz said.
May 5, 2016: Ortiz hits his 491st home run with the Red Sox, just one short of Carl Yastrzemski’s total
“Like I say, every time they mention your name right next to those legends, that’s an honor,” Ortiz said.
May 6, 2016: Ortiz disagrees with Ron Kulpa’s strike zone as he and Farrell are tossed in Yankees win
“Even the one that I swung at was a ball. Miller was pitching very careful,” Ortiz said. “You look at that whole entire at-bat, everything was a ball.” (Boston Globe)
May 8, 2016: Ortiz remembers his late mother, homers on Mother’s Day
“Today is very special for all of us. I think I picked a very good day to hit two home runs,” Ortiz said. “I know she’s in a place just watching me. It’s a special day.” (Boston Globe)
May 14, 2016: Ortiz falls a single short of cycle, ties game in ninth, walks off in extra innings
“You know Papi’s going to be sore tomorrow because of that,” Ortiz said.
May 22, 2016: Ortiz nearly nabs cycle again, as Red Sox hot May continues
“I told you guys in Spring Training that we were going to hit. We are young and talented. About hitting, I know a little bit, so I knew this was coming,” Ortiz said.
May 31, 2016: Mookie Betts steals spotlight, smashes three homers to all fields in win vs. O’s
“I don’t think I can do that,” Ortiz said. “He has five tools and he’s smart. It’s all on him. I really believe that he’s getting to that point where he understands what he needs to.” (Boston Globe)
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June 10, 2016: Farrell outmaneuvered by Bochy in 9th, Giants force a split
“You never expect the closer to be replaced. But Bochy’s a genius. He knows what he’s doing,” Ortiz said. “His players, man, it seems like they totally understand. It’s why they’ve won so many championships. Play the matchup thing. It works for him.” (Boston Globe)
June 11, 2016: Ortiz returns to Minnesota, reunites with former teammates
“It means a lot,” he said. “We don’t get to get together much. We will when I retire. They were talking to me about how it feels to be retired. It kind of motivated me a little bit.” (Boston Globe)
June 12, 2016: Bogaerts the star as Ortiz, Red Sox beat hapless Twins again
“The way he’s playing the game every day is something that’s scary,” Ortiz said. “The way he carries himself right now is like a superstar. He’s not missing anything.” (Boston Globe)
June 17, 2016: Ortiz hits his 521st HR, tying Willie McCovey, Frank Thomas and Ted Williams
“It means a lot,” Ortiz said. “All you guys know how great Mr. Ted Williams was . . . It’s wonderful talking about some of the greatest hitters in the game and hearing your name mentioned with them.” (Boston Globe)
June 19, 2016: Price finally settling, Ortiz marvels at his ability as Sox move 10 games over .500
“Unbelievable,” he said. “He’s pitching great. He’s one of the best pitchers in the game so it doesn’t surprise me. I knew things were going to get better and it was just a matter of time.”
June 30, 2016: Sox close disappointing June with disheartening road loss, Ortiz shoulders blame
“Terrible,” he said. “My fault. I don’t know what I was thinking. I can’t go up there and do that. My head was all [messed] up.” (Boston Globe)
July 12, 2016: Papi goes 0-for-1 with a BB in final All-Star Game, Ortiz has a lot to say
“There’s no way I’d be on the beach having a beer and decide to go back to the gym and starting all over,” Ortiz said. “The Red Sox know they have to bring a force to the middle of the lineup, who better than Edwin Encarnacion?” (Boston Globe)
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July 19, 2016: Red Sox begin second-half surge, win ninth game of their last 11 played
“We are in the second part of the season and definitely need to bring your ‘A’ game,” Ortiz said. (Boston Globe)
August 3, 2016: Ortiz honored by Mariners, presented with first MLB contract
“That was good. That was special,” said Ortiz.
August 5, 2016: As season rolls on, Ortiz continues to be asked about his future
“Future? What future? Future is right now. I’ve got no more future buddy,” Ortiz said. “Haven’t you read the newspaper? I ain’t playing no more after this season.” (Boston Globe)
August 7, 2016: Red Sox visit L.A., Ortiz bids retiring Vin Scully farewell
“It was an honor to say goodbye to him. A legend,” Ortiz said. “He’s a super-nice person. I definitely wanted to do that. He was amazed that I was up there to see him. But it was my honor.” (Boston Globe)
August 10, 2016: Tough Ortiz takes field after injury fouling ball off shin
“We have 50 games [left]. We’ve got to grind it out there. We have to keep on fighting,” Ortiz said. “You have to bring to the table everything you’ve got. I know I’m a big person in our lineup. If I can go, I’ll go.” (Boston Globe)
August 14, 2016: Ortiz hits home run number 530, Red Sox beat streaking Cleveland
“That was probably the one mistake [opposing pitcher Josh Tomlin] made in the whole game,” he said.
August 20, 2016: 29th home run of season by Ortiz matches highest total by age-40 hitter
“40 is just a number,” he said.
August 24, 2016: Ortiz scores from first on tired feet after single, error
“I’m OK. No pain, no gain,” Ortiz said. (Boston Globe)
September 6, 2016: Favorite jersey day for West Coast road trip
https://www.instagram.com/p/BKGse68BeTn/?hl=en&taken-by=davidortiz
September 7, 2016: Ortiz sits in San Diego but gets honored with a surfboard
“It was great. There’s all this appreciation. The San Diego Padres took their time to honor me and what I’ve accomplished in my career,” said Ortiz.
September 9, 2016: Farewell tour nearing conclusion, Big Papi reflects in Toronto
“I never expected anything from anyone. To see people taking their time and doing things like that for myself is really an honor. I really appreciate everybody and what they have done this season. Everything has been a blessing,” he said.
September 11, 2016: Race for AL East supremacy heats up as Sox snare two of three from Blue Jays
“The Blue Jays have been playing outstanding baseball the past couple years and basically everybody is chasing the first place in the division,” Ortiz said.
September 15, 2016: Big Papi passes Mickey Mantle on all-time home run list, Sox beat Yanks
“I’m not really focused on any of that, any of those personal numbers. I’m focusing on winning. We need to win right now. We need to do whatever it takes to win.” Ortiz said.
September 20, 2016: Red Sox winning streak runs to six as Ortiz hits his 36th home run
“40 is the new 20,” he said.
September 22, 2016: Streaking Sox win eighth straight, grab stranglehold of AL East
“We’re playing baseball the way we’re supposed to be playing it,” Ortiz said. “This time of year, every game matters.”
September 25, 2016: Papi mourns the passing of friend and competitor Jose Fernandez
I dont have the words to describe the pain feel for the loss of my friend Jose. Goodbye, my friend. pic.twitter.com/xvaa5z62RW
— David Ortiz (@davidortiz) September 25, 2016
September 27, 2016: Magic number down to one even as Yankees end winning streak, Papi goes 0-5
“What do you guys want to talk to me about? I went 0-for-5. They got me out,” he said. “They tricked me tonight. Too much talking between the pitcher and catcher. I’ll trick them tomorrow.”
September 28, 2016: Kimbrel, Kelly blow save in excruciating fashion but Sox clinch AL East
“I wanted to celebrate on that field so bad, but it is what it is,” Ortiz said. “We end up being the first-place team in the American League [East] and we’re going to celebrate anyway.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/BK8JdXXh6Qo/?taken-by=davidortiz&hl=en
September 30, 2016: Late Ortiz home run, his last, powers late surge over Toronto
“Like I told you guys earlier today, we’re going to be walking into the playoffs pretty soon and we want to stay sharp,” said Ortiz. “It was fun to see our lineup out there today kind of regrouping.”
October 2, 2016: Ortiz honored at Fenway, learns his number will be retired
“It was unbelievable. I wasn’t expecting so much. This organization is something I will never forget. Everything went better than perfect. I just want to thank everybody that was involved in it,” he said.
https://vine.co/v/56e9udXAxIA
October 6, 2016: Red Sox drop ALDS Game 1 to Cleveland
“You’re never looking forward to losing the first game, but somebody has to, unfortunately,” Ortiz said. “That doesn’t mean that we’ve got to shut it down. We’ve got to come back and fight back tomorrow.”
October 10, 2016: Indians sweep Red Sox, Ortiz says last goodbye
“Obviously, I’m not happy that moment shows up,” Ortiz said. “I was cheering so bad. Once I got out of the game, I was screaming at my team to put me back in it. Make me wear this uniform one more day. Because I wasn’t ready to be over with the playoffs.”
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