On Monday night, David Ortiz said he'd be willing to participate in next week's Home Run Derby. On Tuesday, he got his wish.
The Red Sox' DH will be in this year's field in Anaheim, joining Robinson Cano, Miguel Cabrera, Vernon Wells, Corey Hart and Matt Holliday, according to USA Today. There are still two open spots yet to be filled.
Ortiz, who told NESN's Heidi Watney that he's not worried about the contest negatively affecting his swing, competed in the contest three times before, with his best showing coming in Comerica Park in 2005. Ortiz blasted 17 homers in the first round, which briefly set a record before Bobby Abreu hit 24 just minutes later.
In Houston in 2004, he hit just three home runs, though he hit a ball so hard that it hit the roof and did not count for a home run. The roof was opened after his at-bat so that the same problem wouldn't happen again for someone else.
This season, Ortiz has 17 home runs, ranking him seventh in the AL.
