David Ortiz arrived in Fort Myers, Fla., for his final spring training Monday, and the crowds already were out in full force. But the Boston Red Sox designated hitter has a championship send-off in mind.
Ortiz, who showed up looking perhaps fitter than he’s ever been, likely will go through some form of retirement tour to end his 20-year career in Major League Baseball. That said, Red Sox manager John Farrell indicated that Big Papi is more concerned about winning games than collecting gifts in 2016.
“He’s in great shape,” Farrell told reporters Monday at JetBlue Park. “I’ve had the chance to sit with him in the offseason. I know he’s looking forward to this year for a number of reasons, but above all, he wants to win, as we all do. And I think it speaks volumes the way he showed up in the condition he’s in and looking forward to him being a main cog, main presence in our lineup.”
Farrell admitted he doesn’t know how 2016 will pan out for Ortiz, as it’s the first time the Red Sox have had to deal with a retirement send-off of this scale. But the skipper does know it will “require coordination by many,” including the Red Sox, opposing teams and Ortiz’s representation.
“You only go through it once, right?” Farrell said. “So you don’t know how they’re going to balance it, but I know we’ve had discussions on what’s the best amount of access to David. And that’s going to be a give-and-take throughout the year, but I think the most important thing is his priority. And that is doing what he can to help this team win.”
The celebrations could get started as early as Opening Week, as the Red Sox kick off their season against the Indians in Cleveland, where Ortiz and Co. will visit only once this year. Still, Farrell thinks Ortiz deserves any attention he’ll get.
“It’s something I know that conversations are going on as we speak to keep the focus and priority where it needs to be,” Farrell said. “And that’s to make sure we do what we can to win and to also pay tribute to a very, very good career.”
Thumbnail photo via Ken Blaze/USA TODAY Sports Images
