Tag Archives: Jason Varitek

Boston Red Sox Legend David Ortiz Throws Out Ceremonial First Pitch at Fenway Park

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David Ortiz is back on the baseball field… 

The 43-year-old Dominican-American former Major League Baseball designated hitter and first baseman for the Boston Red Sox, nicknamed “Big Papi,” made a surprise appearance at Fenway Park on Monday night for the first time since he was shot in a botched assassination attempt in his native Dominican Republic in June.

David Ortiz

Ortiz, a beloved figure among Red Sox faithful, got a standing ovation before throwing out the first pitch prior the game against the New York Yankees.

Ortiz, introduced on the public-address system as a symbol of “resilience, strength, triumph and love,” ran up the steps from the dugout to the field, appearing strong and healthy, before throwing a pitch to former teammate Jason Varitek.

“I want to thank God for giving me a second opportunity in my life to be here with all of you,” Ortiz said to the crowd. “I want to thank the Red Sox, my real family. They always have been there for me, supporting me. … They were the first ones there supporting me.”

Ortiz was shot in the back by a gunman while sitting and talking with a friend at a nightclub in Santo Domingo on the night of June 9. He was flown back to Boston aboard a jet sent by the Red Sox the next day and spent seven weeks in a hospital, undergoing three surgeries for life-threatening injuries.

“I want to thank you for all for your prayers, all of them came home,” he told the crowd.

Ortiz also thanked his former Red Sox teammates for their visits and support, as well as some players on the Yankees who had come to see him as he was convalescing.

When the game started, Ortiz took a seat in the first row, right next to Boston’s dugout, giving his No. 34 home jersey to a young boy seated a few rows back in the first inning.

Ortiz was a 10-time MLB All-Star and three-time World Serieswinner with the Red Sox from 2003 through 2016, thrilling fans with late-game dramatics in the postseason. A street across from Fenway Park has been named for the slugger.

He further endeared himself to the fans with his heartfelt and profane speech at Fenway Park days after the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, urging the city to be “Boston Strong.”

Martinez Returning to Boston Red Sox in Special Role

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Former Boston Red Sox ace Pedro Martinez is heading back to Beantown…

The 41-year-old Dominican born baseball star, an eight-time All-Star, three-time Cy Young Award winner and 2004 World Series champion, is returning to the organization as a special assistant to general manager Ben Cherington.

Pedro Martinez

Martinez, who joins former catcher Jason Varitek in that capacity, said he plans to dedicate his time to developing players and collaborating with team brass.

“I’ve been away long enough now,” said Martinez. “I spent time with my family, and now the situation is right. I think they need people like me that could probably relate to the players, relate to the front office, have the good communication and the interest that they need right now. I think the players still see me as a player and they can naturally communicate with me. I’m also a veteran, a real old veteran and I think I can offer some advice how to handle different situations.”

In particular, Martinez will spend time mentoring the team’s young pitchers.

“I love to teach. I love to deal with the players,” he said. “I have a very good relationship with the players and I’m also fun. I like to have and I think they need a little bit of that in the clubhouse.”

Though he said a comeback was out of the question — “Don’t even think about me coming back,” he said — he’s looking forward to getting his “nose dirty.”

“I miss the field,” said Martinez. “Once I get on the field, I’m going to get involved and get going. I like the field. I like the feel of the sun, sweating on the field and hopefully some of the knowledge I have I’ll be able to communicate to someone and have someone take advantage of it.”

Martinez spent seven seasons in Boston (1998-2004), winning two of his three Cy Young Awards and a World Series ring during his time with the Red Sox. He went 117-37 (a franchise-best .760 winning percentage) with a 2.52 ERA in his seven seasons with the Red Sox, leading the league in ERA four times in that span.

Martinez left the Red Sox after the 2004 season to sign with the Mets, for whom he pitched four more seasons. His final season in the majors was 2009 with the Phillies.

“I am thrilled to be returning to this organization and to the city I love,” Martinez said in a statement. “Ben Cherington’s meetings this week have been outstanding. It is an honor to be back with the Red Sox and help in any way I can. I am grateful to our leaders; I believe in them, and I thank them for allowing me to return to the field and help us win again. My heart will always live in Boston.”