David Ortiz Shares Heartfelt 3-Word Message as Ex-Teammate Reaches Incredible Milestone

Picture it: You’re at your college graduation, excitement buzzing in the air. Suddenly, a familiar name echoes through the arena—a name you know from decades of baseball highlights. “That’s wild; I had no clue I graduated with him today,” one SNHU graduate shared. The recipient was none other than former MLB pitcher LaTroy Hawkins. But this particular Sunday was not about saves or strikeouts; it was about Hawkins winning in a way he never had before.

This spring, sometime in May 2025, LaTroy Hawkins walked onto a stage inside the SNHU Arena. He didn’t come out to throw the first pitch; he came to get his degree. At 52 years old, the former pitcher received his Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, graduating magna cum laude—high honors. Hawkins achieved this impressive feat mostly through attending classes online. This milestone marked the fulfillment of a promise made years ago to his grandmother, adding a heartfelt layer to his academic triumph and setting the stage for recognition from old friends.

Now, one of the first to congratulate Hawkins was none other than baseball icon David Ortiz. The two shared the Minnesota Twins’ clubhouse from 1997 through 2002 and developed a relationship during their early, unsettling years in the majors. And when Ortiz saw his former teammate hit that special home run, he shared a simple, powerful message on his Instagram story. Those three words captured decades of friendship: “Congrats my brother.”

Their friendship was publicly visible years earlier, reminding fans of their strong connection. During Ortiz’s emotional 2016 retirement tour, a special ceremony took place at Minnesota’s Target Field. Hawkins joined former Twins teammates Torii Hunter, Corey Koskie, and Eddie Guardado. And they were there, gathered together to celebrate “Big Papi” as he played his final game. The group even good-naturedly gifted Ortiz with a large jar of peanut butter. A reference to a famous clubhouse prank in the pair’s mutual past, showing their lasting camaraderie.

The genesis of a friendship: Hawkins and Ortiz in Minnesota

That peanut butter incident hints at the lighter side of their relationship back in the day. Hawkins fondly remembers Ortiz as the team’s “clown” and “connector”—the one who kept spirits bright. “When he’d walk in a room, [there was] the joy that he brought us just because he was a clown,” Hawkins recalled. He elaborated, stating, “Everything he did was funny… He helped keep everything light in our clubhouse.” Card games on team flights and playful banter were routine, and a portrait of youthful energy and friendship within the pressures of professional baseball.

Those early years weren’t always easy. Hawkins struggled as a starter, with a miserable 6.66 ERA in 1999, before transitioning to the bullpen. Ortiz, similarly, struggled for consistent playing time, later criticizing manager Tom Kelly’s approach, which he felt stifled his power. They navigated these professional growing pains together, witnessing each other’s adjustments and struggles. This shared journey through early-career adversity had almost certainly cemented their friendship in a way that future successes couldn’t replicate, creating a foundation of mutual understanding.

Their careers took extremely different paths after the Twins released Ortiz in December 2002. Ortiz arrived in Boston and became the legendary “Big Papi.” He became the heart of the Red Sox, leading them to three World Series titles. His powerful bat produced 541 career home runs and 1,768 RBIs, earning him a first-ballot Hall of Fame induction. Ortiz became arguably the greatest designated hitter ever.

Hawkins, meanwhile, travelled a different, yet equally impressive, journey defined by endurance. “Hawk” became the ultimate reliable journeyman, pitching for 11 different teams over his remarkable 21-year career. He appeared in 1,042 games, ranking 10th all-time for pitchers upon his retirement. Though lacking the superstar status of Ortiz, Hawkins earned universal respect for his professionalism and durability. He even achieved the rare feat of recording a save against every single MLB team, cementing his own unique place in baseball history.

Their careers took divergent paths after Minnesota, but their friendship endured. As Hawkins himself noted years later, despite Ortiz becoming “larger than life” to the world, to his old teammates, “he’s the same damn David.”