FORT MYERS, Fla. — Hanley Ramirez and David Ortiz already have a foundation on which to build.
Ramirez, who made his major league debut with the Boston Red Sox in 2005, kept in touch with Ortiz throughout his time with the Miami Marlins and Los Angeles Dodgers. It could make for a productive reunion, as Ramirez, who returned to Boston in the offseason, continues to draw inspiration from his longtime mentor.
“He’s like a brother to me,” Ramirez said Tuesday at JetBlue Park. “Everybody pretty much looks up to him because of the heart he’s got and the way he plays the game and how much love he has for the game. Everybody respects him.
“What can I say about Papi? Those who know Papi know he’s (respected) because of his heart. He does on the field and off the field so many good things. We love Papi. He’s the man.”
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Ortiz arrived at Red Sox spring training Tuesday amid plenty of buzz. He was the last player to report to camp, but he made one heck of an entrance, as his every move was monitored by both the media and fans who showed up to watch the team work out on the back fields at JetBlue.
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Ortiz appears to be in excellent shape as he prepares for his 19th major league season (13th with Boston) at age 39. Ramirez, who turned 31 in December, plans to take notes to ensure his own longevity, though it should be noted that Ramirez showed up to camp looking like a linebacker.
“He’s got some tricks at the plate. When you get old, you have to find ways to get hits,” Ramirez said. “So, it’s nice when your ability starts going down a little bit, you have to start working on little things.
“I was with him in the Dominican this past offseason and he was working every day. He doesn’t stop working. That’s the key for him.”
So how does it feel to play alongside a 55-year-old slugger? (One reporter poked fun at Ortiz’s age. Big Papi actually is 39, as mentioned.)
“He don’t look like 55 to me,” Ramirez said with a smile. “He’s still waking up early every day and goes to the gym and then goes to the field. Usually, with a guy like him, if he does it, why don’t you?”
Ramirez looked like a future franchise cornerstone before the Red Sox traded him to the Marlins in November 2005. Now, him and Ortiz can continue what they started together a decade ago.
Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@davidortiz
