Some athletes leave such an impression that everyone wants them in their corner. David ‘Big Papi’ Ortiz was one of them. Starting out his career in Minnesota with the Twins, the former slugger went through some ups and downs. Then in 2003, Ortiz joined the Boston Red Sox, finishing out his career with them in 2016. But had it been up to Alex Rodriguez, he would have rather seen Big Papi in Texas.

A-Rod’s own career trajectory took a drastic turn in 2004 when he joined the New York Yankees. It was an interesting turn of events because Rodriguez and Ortiz now played for sworn rivals. But off the field, the two were great friends. The turn of fate brought them to the East Coast but the Texas Rangers once had a plan that could have kept the duo as teammates in the Deep South.

Alex Rodriguez’s Failed Plan to Have David Ortiz Play in Texas

On August 11, 2021, A-Rod and Big Papi sat down to have a chat on everything baseball. Along with Jared Carrabis, the trio discussed how Rodriguez’s career trajectory took off and the iconic Red Sox-Yankees rivalry. Addressing a surprising Rangers plan regarding Ortiz, Rodriguez said, “Let me bring you back to 2002…I knew that he [Big Papi] wasn’t being maximized and his talents weren’t being used properly. I thought in Minnesota they were underused, underutilized.”

“I’m like, ‘These people are not seeing a superstar. I know Big Papi, they think he’s David.’ So I told our owner in Texas, Tom Hicks, ‘Hey, we gotta go get this guy in Minnesota, he’s unbelievable.’ So I started talking to him on the field. And then I called him and said, ‘Hey, would you come down here?'”

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“And Tom Hicks, I believe he came up to a million dollars and then pulled it back. Then [he] gave Red Sox the opportunity to step in and get him. And obviously, the rest is history.”

Unfortunately, the duo never became teammates, even though their friendship continued. A-Rod and Big Papi are even cohosts for FOX Sports as MLB analysts now. Although the move to Texas never came to be, the Texas Rangers still had respect for the former first baseman.

Texas’ Special Retirement Gift for Big Papi

2016 was the last year that Ortiz played for Major League Baseball, having announced his retirement ahead of the season. As is tradition, every team presented Big Papi with a gift at his away games. When it came to the Rangers, they did it the best way Texas could – cowboy boots and a special belt.

The custom boots each said ‘Big’ and ‘Papi’ below a BoSox logo, while the metal belt depicted a huge-horned bull with Ortiz’s nickname as well. Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre and shortstop Elvis Andrus presented the items in what remains an iconic baseball memory to this day.

Days Before London Assignment, David Ortiz Hurls Scorching Shade at Rival Alex Rodriguez

David Ortiz may never have played in Texas threads but the city still loved him. And even though he never got to call A-Rod a teammate on the field, the two still remain friends.

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