Tag Archives: David Ortiz

Ortiz ThisClose to Signing Deal to Stay with the Boston Red Sox

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It appears David Ortiz may not be emptying out his locker room anytime soon…

The 36-year-old Dominican baseball star is thisclose to closing a two-year deal with the Boston Red Sox, a deal that the team hopes to finalize before the end of the week, according to ESPN.

David Ortiz

The two-year term – something that was of utmost importance to the Ortiz – already has been agreed upon, sources said Tuesday, but both sides were still haggling on compensation.

Ortiz is believed to be seeking $25 million. The Red Sox are in that neighborhood, but hope to sign him for a few million less, according to the source, who noted the monetary negotiations aren’t expected to get in the way of the deal’s completion.

“As I said, we want to have David back,” general manager Ben Cherington said Tuesday. “We’ve had good, amicable dialogue. I talked to Fernando (Cuza, Ortiz’s agent) yesterday. We’ll continue to keep talking. Our hope is to get something done. I’m sure we’ll talk again this week sometime.”

The Red Sox hope to announce the extension as soon as Friday, the first off day of the World Series. The league frowns upon teams announcing news on days of World Series games.

Ortiz, who made $14.575 million on a one-year deal struck on the same day his arbitration case was scheduled to be held this past February, missed 71 of Boston’s final 72 games because of a right Achilles strain. He told ESPNBoston.com on Sunday that he’s feeling much better and will begin his normal offseason workout regimen soon.

“I’m 36, and I know what I’m capable to do,” Ortiz said. “I know what’s fair and I know guys my age aren’t going to get three-, four- or five-year deals anymore, so I want to play two more, and if things go good, I’ll continue to play.”

Ortiz was having one of the best years of his career before the injury, hitting .318 with 23 homers, 60 RBIs and a 1.026 OPS in 90 games.

He’s the longest-tenured player on the Red Sox, having played in Boston over the past 10 seasons.

Vergara to Play Tia Sofia on “The Cleveland Show”

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Sofia Vergara is heading to Cleveland this fall…

The 40-year-old Colombian actress—who just earned her third consecutive Primetime Emmy nomination for her role on ABC’s Modern Family—will be lending her voice to Fox’s animated series The Cleveland Show. 

Sofia Vergara

Vergara, currently the highest paid actress on television, will play Tia Sofia, who attempts to convince Cleveland to throw a quinceñera for Cleveland Jr.’s 15th birthday.

In addition, she’ll make a cameo as Peter Griffin’s fantasy love interest in an upcoming episode of Family Guy, according to Entertainment Weekly. In a cutaway gag featuring Peter as a telenovela lothario, Vergara will voice his oh-so-sexy and sassy lover. And that’s not her only role in the episode; she’ll also play a woman selling roses in a restaurant where Quagmire is “wooing” Peter so that Peter will do him a big favor.

Meanwhile, as previously reported, Bruno Mars will appear in the season premiere of The Cleveland Show, along with Kanye West,  Nicki Minaj, The Roots’ ?uestlove and will.i.am. They’ll star as characters in a secret hip-hop society that Cleveland discovers in the season premiere.

A subsequent episode will feature Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz, who recently became the 49th player in major league history to reach 400 home runs.

On The Simpsons, the 24th season of the Fox comedy will feature Portlandia‘s Fred Armisen, while Family Guy will see The Voice’s Christina Milian voice an upcoming role.

Ortiz Notches His History-Making 400th Home Run

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Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz will probably never forget this Fourth of July…

The 36-year-old Dominican-born baseball player recorded his 400th career home run during the Red Sox’s away game against the Oakland Athletics.

David Ortiz

Ortiz is the 49th player in major league history to reach 400 home runs. He’s among eight active players with at least 400 homers.

Ortiz’s home run forged a 1-1 tie in the fourth inning, but Oakland went on to win the game 3-2 to complete a three-game series sweep of the Red Sox.

“It was a big situation to tie the game,” said Ortiz. “I’m happy to just get it out of the way. I was very excited.”

The biggest compliment Ortiz received for his 400th career home run might have come during the slugger’s next at-bat. As Athletics announcer Dick Callahan mentioned Ortiz’s milestone while introducing him in the sixth inning Wednesday, the home crowd rose to give him a standing ovation.

“That was pretty cool,” said Ortiz, who removed his helmet and waved to the crowd. “You’re playing on the road, and you get something like that done on the road and people really appreciate it.”

Ortiz had gone 25 at-bats since his last homer, which came June 27 against the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park.

“(I’ve) been able to take a lot of swings this past road trip and just keep on leaving the ball on the warning track,” said Ortiz. “But to be honest with you, I was not worried about that. I was just swinging like I normally do and not trying to do too much. You see pitchers, how they approach it, I guess they don’t want to show up on ESPN.”

The blast, a no-doubter to right field, came on a 2-0 pitch from Oakland’s A.J. Griffin.

“It was awesome,” Red Sox outfielder Cody Ross said. “Of course, everyone’s just waiting for it. It seems like every pitch, he’s got that chance to do it. As soon as it went in the air, it’s just that sigh of relief, I know for him especially, to get that weight off his shoulder. I’m just so happy for him, proud of him. It’s a huge accomplishment.”