Picture this: David Ortiz makes his triumphant return the Home Run Derby at Major League Baseball’s All-Star Weekend and takes home the crown in his final big-league season.
It’s a nice story, but it won’t happen, according to Ortiz. The Boston Red Sox slugger admitted before Tuesday’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays he won’t be participating in the Home Run Derby on July 11 in San Diego.
“No. No, because I have so many things going on over there when I go,” Ortiz said, via WEEI.com’s Rob Bradford. “It’s going to be crazy. The Home Run Derby wears you out. I would like to, but I’ve got so many things lined up. It’s too much.”
Big Papi would know, as he has competed in five Home Run Derbies in his career and won it all in 2010. With 18 homers through 77 games in his final MLB season, Ortiz would be a prime candidate to come back again this year. The 40-year-old slugger admitted he considered it but is ready to pass the torch.
“I probably would, but I’m not. My time is going to be very limited,” he said. “It’s good for the younger guys to do it. It puts you on the map for a minute. Energy is a big part of it. When was the last time you saw a guy my age do it? It takes everything out of you, because you don’t take any cheap swings. Everything has to be powerful. You definitely have to be in your 20’s to do it.”
Backing out ultimately is a wise decision for Ortiz, who is in the midst of an incredible final season and would benefit from being well-rested as he enters the final stretch of his career. Yet it means the Red Sox likely won’t have a participant in this year’s Derby — Mookie Betts, who is second on the team with 16 homers, said it’s unlikely he’ll compete in the event, per WEEI.com.
Thumbnail photo Kim Klement/USA TODAY Sports Images
