6:31 p.m.: It’s all over at Fenway.
Ortiz’s last regular-season game is a 2-1 loss to the Blue Jays, and his final line is 0-for-4 with two strikeouts.
Big Papi subtly tipped his cap to the crowd as he walked back to the dugout after his groundout. Fortunately for Red Sox fans, he’ll be back here for the American League Division Series.
6:24 p.m.: Ortiz weakly grounds out to the catcher. Unless Boston can rally with two outs, it will be his last regular-season plate appearance ever.
6:22 p.m.: Big Papi is up for what could be his final regular-season at-bat. The Red Sox are down a run with one out and nobody on base.
6:10 p.m.: Don’t adjust those TV sets, folks. Brock Holt just struck out to end the eighth inning, meaning Ortiz is guaranteed to bat second in the bottom of the ninth in what could be a one-run game.
5:28 p.m.: Ortiz is unable to tally a hit, flying out to Jays center fielder Kevin Pillar. Ortiz is 0-for-3 with two strikeouts.
5:25 p.m.: Big Papi has the chance to break up Aaron Sanchez’s no-hitter as he steps to the plate in the bottom of the seventh inning.
5 p.m.: Ortiz wasn’t the only one who got a gift Sunday at Fenway.
4:32 p.m.: That won’t happen, as Ortiz strikes out for the second time in as many at-bats.
4:30 p.m.: Ortiz’s second at-bat comes with two outs and nobody on base in the fourth inning. He’s looking to change a 0-0 score.
4:10 p.m.: Baltimore Orioles legend Cal Ripken Jr. is in the house for Big Papi’s final regular-season game.
Meanwhile, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh and the Bruins are among those showing love for Ortiz on Twitter.
3:50 p.m.: Big Papi strikes out in his first at-bat, but the Fenway crowd gives him a big hand, anyway.
3:45 p.m.: As Ortiz comes to bat in the second inning, fans in the outfield display a series of signs that spell out the words, “Thanks Papi.” Pretty cool.
3:10 p.m.: Here’s part of Ortiz’s speech, as well as a cool time-lapse video of the festivities, courtesy of the Boston Herald’s Jason Mastrodonato.
3:07 p.m.: Ortiz and Pedro share another long embrace on the mound, along with the 2004 World Series trophy. Lowell, Ramirez and Jonny Gomes then join Ortiz to pose for a few pictures.
3 p.m.: Big Papi gives a special shoutout to Martinez, who helped get Ortiz to the Red Sox in the first place.
2:58 p.m.: It’s Ortiz’s turn to say thanks. He takes the microphone to address the Fenway Park crowd and begins thanking a long list of people, including his father.
Ortiz chokes up while mentioning his late mother, then continues. The Fenway crowds gives him a huge ovation.
2:54 p.m.: Wow. The president of the Dominican Republic, Danilo Medina, is here to throw out the ceremonial first pitch. Ortiz catches Medina’s pitch, gives him a big hug and takes a selfie with him, because why not?
2:45 p.m.: The national anthem from Ortiz’s native Dominican Republic is played as the country’s flag is unfurled over the Green Monster.
Next, Ortiz’s favorite recording artist, Mary J. Blige, comes onto the field to perform “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
2:42 p.m.: Ortiz has to wipe away tears as he embraces Pedro. This is pretty special.
2:40 p.m.: Former teammates of Ortiz’s from their World Series teams in 2004, 2007 and 2013 are coming onto the field to greet him. Among the notables: Pedro Martinez, Manny Ramirez, Nomar Garciaparra and Jason Varitek.
Ortiz’s current teammates also are on the field now, surrounding Big Papi and giving him hugs.
2:38 p.m.: The Red Sox announce they’ll officially retire Ortiz’s No. 34 next season.
He also is met by a young boy who directly benefited from the David Ortiz Children’s Fund. Ortiz looks pretty overwhelmed with gratitude.
Red Sox ownership also made a very generous donation to Ortiz’s fund.
2:35 p.m.: The ceremony keeps getting better for Ortiz. The Red Sox reveal a bridge near Fenway Park will be named in Ortiz’s honor, and he’ll also have a street named after him by the ballpark.
2:28 p.m.: Commissioner Manfred joins Ortiz on the field to reveal a pretty awesome gift: the creation of the David Ortiz Fellowship, which will promote diversity in MLB front offices.
On a lighter note, Red Sox third base coach Brian Butterfield presents Ortiz with a pair of special LL Bean boots for his “sore feet.” That draws a laugh from Big Papi.
2:25 p.m.: Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred is at Fenway for Ortiz’s final regular-season game. He spoke at length about Big Papi in a pregame press conference, calling him a “transformational” player in Red Sox history.
Meanwhile, the on-field ceremonies for Ortiz have begun.
1:35 p.m. ET: The David Ortiz Era is about to come to a close.
The Boston Red Sox designated hitter will play the final regular-season game of his career Sunday afternoon at Fenway Park against the Toronto Blue Jays. And while the Red Sox’s 2016 season will continue into the playoffs, there still will be plenty of pomp and circumstance Sunday to celebrate the legendary slugger’s 20-year career.
The praise for Big Papi already has started. The Red Sox took out a full-page ad in The Boston Globe thanking Ortiz, while Red Sox president Sam Kennedy tweeted out the highest of praise for the 40-year-old Dominican Republic native.
There will be plenty more to come, so keep it here for all things Big Papi throughout the afternoon.
Thumbnail photo via David Butler II/USA TODAY Sports Images
