Big Papi Still A Big Deal With MLB Community

As retired Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz took to the podium on the grounds of the Clark Sports Center in Cooperstown, New York to be formally inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame on July 24, there were bound to be a lot of memories racing through his mind.

There was Ortiz's daughter Alex Veda Ortiz singing the national anthem, to open the afternoon's festivities. "Big Papi," as the three-time World Series champion is better known as by friends and fans, was visibly touched when listening to his daughter command tens of thousands of well-wishers with her voice.

Before addressing his public with a much-anticipated acceptance speech, just being in Cooperstown in late July a few years back may not have seemed possible.

Beyond what the box scores and stat sheets show - 541 career home runs, 1,768 RBIs, and three Red Sox World Series titles, all collected during a 20-year MLB career - June 9, 2019, is a day in Ortiz's life that could have altered how his induction day was scheduled.

At the Dial Bar & Lounge in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, "Big Papi's" home country, the 10-time MLB all-star was shot in the back and severely wounded. After a six-hour operation, the Red Sox brought their legendary player back to Boston.

A second surgery was performed at Boston's Massachusetts General Hospital. Thankfully, Ortiz's healing continued without complications.

Cooperstown never looked better for this visiting member of the Hall's Class of 2022.

As he mingled with members of the media during the days leading up to his induction, Ortiz, the 58th first-ballot Hall of Famer, was liberal in giving thanks to many of those who helped pave his road to Cooperstown.

"Juan (Hall of Fame pitcher and fellow Dominican Juan Marichal) is the one who opened the door for me. Then, there's Vlady (also a fellow Dominican and Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero). We all love him. I appreciate the work they have done here in baseball," said Ortiz, who as an MLB TV analyst covers the regular season, all-star game, and postseason for Fox Sports.

"Pedro (Dominican hall of fame pitcher Pedro Martinez) has always been like a big brother to me. We go way back and share so many happy memories together. He told me not to lose focus when I give my speech, and not forget where I came from."

In the audience to once again show team spirit to Ortiz were former teammates from his winning years playing at Fenway Park. Johnny Damon, Jason Varitek, and Kevin Youkilis were among those cheering "Big Papi" on, as highlights from the 2004 championship season they shared were shown.

"We always had each other's backs. They (Red Sox teammates) are my second family. I'm appreciative of those three championships we won together," explains Ortiz, who was positioned primarily as a designated hitter during his years with Boston.

With an estimated 40,000 fans camped in front of the stage where returning members of the Hall were seated, and the incoming members taking turns addressing them, Ortiz shared his love of his career with a fellow Latin also being inducted as a member of the Class of 2022.

Cuban-born Tony Oliva, one of the greatest players ever to wear a Minnesota Twins uniform, has a history with Ortiz. During his first six MLB seasons with the Twins, prior to signing with the Red Sox for the 2003 season, Ortiz took lessons from the club's hitting instructor - Oliva.

"Tony always wanted the best for me. It's amazing, and an honor to go into the Hall of Fame with him," said Ortiz, 46. "I can't help getting emotional when I remember my time with the Twins. Kirby (the late Hall of Famer Kirby Puckett) was a big mentor for me, too."

In Ortiz's first year of hall of fame eligibility, he is also joined in the Class of 2022 by Gil Hodges, Bud Fowler, Jim Kaat, "Buck" O'Neil, and Minnie Minoso.

On the eve of his induction, riding in the back of a Chevy pickup, as he waved to an estimated 10,000-plus fans lining Main Street leading to the Hall of Fame's front doors, clearly Ortiz was the superstar they all wanted to see.

Having played in his last game with Boston in October 2016, memories, on induction Sunday in Cooperstown, for both Ortiz and his thousands of fans who traveled from New England and the Caribbean, wanted to show support, and offer a thank you.

Playing a major role in the Red Sox "reversing the curse" of the Bambino, and the club winning their first World Series championship since 1918, that 2004 season remains fresh with Ortiz and the Boston faithful's minds.

With enshrinement into the Hall of Fame, "Big Papi" David Ortiz, officially now, will forever be remembered as among baseball's best.