WASHINGTON (AP) – David Ortiz drew so many pals and well-wishers, it took him nearly three minutes just to climb a few dugout steps. He then swung behind the batting cage, gave Vladimir Guerrero a playful pat, and spotted another Hall of Famer along the first base side.
“What’s goin’ on, Papi?” a grinning Dave Winfield asked.
Yep, Big Papi is still a big hit wherever he goes, whatever he does.
On Sunday, that meant a new job: The retired Red Sox great became a manager at the All-Star Futures Game, guiding the minor league talent on the World squad at Nationals Park.
No surprise, Ortiz drew the loudest ovation during pregame introductions.