David Ortiz Cries as Red Sox Honor Legend During Jersey Retirement Ceremony

The Boston Red Sox honored the career of David Ortiz in a ceremony prior to Friday's game against the Los Angeles Angels, culminating with his famous No. 34 being retired by the franchise he played with for 14 seasons.Fittingly, Ortiz would note those numbers in right field at Fenway Park held special significance to him during his playing days."Taking batting practice on this field, I was always trying to hit those numbers," Big Papi said, viaBrian MacPhersonof theProvidence Journal.In addition to Ortiz's number getting displayed at Fenway Park forever, many of his former Red Sox teammates took part in the celebration to honor the 10-time All-Star.Hall of Fame pitcher Pedro Martinez, who was instrumental in getting then-Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein to sign Ortiz, spoke on the field."I don't have enough words," he said, via MacPherson.Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia, who is the last holdover from the 2007 World Series team, made sure to note Ortiz has not been forgotten."You're not our teammate, you're not our friend," Pedroia said, via NESN'sTom Caron. "You're our family.And it'll be that way until we die."Ortiz joined the Red Sox prior to the 2003 season after being released by the Minnesota Twins. He said during the ceremony he chose the No. 34 to honor Kirby Puckett, andMacPhersonnoted the Red Sox invited Puckett's family to the ceremony.After being let go by the Twins, Ortiz signed a non-guaranteed major league deal and was expected to compete for the team's opening at first base. He would go on to hit 483 of his 541 career homers in a Boston uniform, lead the franchise to three championships in 2004, 2007 and 2013, and be named MVP of the 2013 World Series.In Ortiz's final season in 2016, he led MLB with a .620 slugging percentage and 48 doubles, and he paced the AL with 127 RBI.Ortiz became the 11th Red Sox player to have his jersey retired, joining a group that includes Martinez, Wade Boggs, Carlton Fisk and Ted Williams.
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