It's safe to say that once he retires, David Ortiz's affable smile, competitive streak and sheer love for the game of baseball won't soon be forgotten.
Playing for the Boston Red Sox, a team that has always been accustomed to innumerable disappointments, he managed to instill a glimmer of hope through the crack of his bat.
He pummeled arch rivals the Yankees by always knowing the right moments to make big plays.
He gained popularity through his sheer bravado and moxie at the plate. He's a staple of Major League Baseball. To have him retire by the end of season will leave a deep hole in the hearts of fans. Afterall, this is the man who made it cool to sport gaudy gold necklaces underneath his number 34 jersey. He made it cool to prance around the bases after he obliterated a 96 miles-per-hour heater.
This Dominican warrior gladly took on the baseball Gods and made each one of them singlehandedly tap out. Clemens, Petitte, Rivera all had ill-starred bouts against Ortiz. Quite frankly, Big Papi owned the MLB.
Take a look at some of his funny and groundbreaking moments before we bid adieu to number 34.
1. Recently, David Ortiz teamed up with Lyft to prank unsuspecting passengers, while he drove them to their destinations. Interestingly enough, these fans were easily duped, despite Big Papi's bulky look and effervescent demeanor.
2. Before the first game at Fenway after the bombing of the Boston Marathon, it was Ortiz who delivered a heartfelt speech. It helped to begin the rejuvenation of the city.
“We want to thank you, Mayor Menino, Governor Patrick, the whole police department for the great job that they did this past week. This is our (bleeping) city, and nobody’s going to dictate our freedom. Stay strong. Thank you.”
3. The day after the 14th anniversary of September 11 last year, Big Papi slammed his 500th home-run, making him the 27th player to accomplish such a feat.
4. In 2013, The Red Sox earned their third World Series in 10 years when they defeated the St. Louis Cardinals. During that series, he batted 11-16 and won World Series MVP.
5. After trailing 3-0 to the Yankees in the ALCS in 2004, David Ortiz commanded a masterful comeback starting with his performance in Game 4. In the bottom of the 12th inning, he kept Boston's hopes alive when he crushed a 2-run walk-off home-run.
6. Just when you thought Ortiz didn't have any more magic in the tank, he surprised Boston hopefuls again with a second consecutive walk-off hit in the bottom of the 14th inning. Eventually, they overcame a once-staggering 3-o deficit to defeat the Yankees in seven games and ultimately, lift the fabled "Curse of the Bambino" by clinching their first World Series title.
7. Big Papi socked his franchise-record 51st home-run off of Johan Santana back in 2006. He ended up with 54 for the year.
8. This was just vintage Papi, right here. Here's an hilarious clip of him penning a letter to Drake with a quill.
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