At a time when baseball rivalries still spark intense passion, especially between traditional powerhouses like Boston and Chicago, what happened on Instagram this week flipped the script. The son of Red Sox legend David Ortiz, D’Angelo Ortiz, didn’t just witness a jaw-dropping moment; he amplified it. One crushing home run from a rising Chicago White Sox star had him reaching for his phone, not to troll, but to salute. No filters. No hesitation. Just respect, loud and clear.

The player who earned that respect? Braden Montgomery, a standout talent whose reputation for raw power is quickly turning into legend. In round 9 of a high-profile showcase, Montgomery absolutely crushed a pitch, sending it deep into the night. The moment was loud, both literally and figuratively. But what made it even more memorable was who reacted. D’Angelo, watching like the rest of us, shared a video of the blast on his Instagram story with the caption: “Buddy got the pack a punch in round 9 @bradenmontgomery🤯😱”

Those aren’t just words; they’re a shift in tone from a name synonymous with Boston baseball royalty. For D’Angelo to publicly praise a White Sox slugger is more than a casual repost. It’s a statement. It says: When talent speaks, rivalries can wait. In an era where players often keep their praise in-house, his reaction felt organic and unscripted, a modern-day nod to what baseball truly is: a brotherhood of ballplayers who know greatness when they see it.

And let’s be honest, Montgomery’s homer wasn’t ordinary. It had that “did-you-see-that?” energy that instantly lives online. It wasn’t just a tape-measure blast; it was a career moment, the kind that makes scouts fidget and fans dream. For Big Papi’s son, who’s grown up inside the game and understands how moments like these shape futures, the recognition wasn’t about teams. It was about giving credit where it’s due.

It’s not the first time D’Angelo has shown he’s carving his own voice in the baseball world. Take his early numbers for the Brockton Rox in 2024, for instance. Though the power hasn’t shown up yet, his .311 average and .396 OBP highlight a player who knows how to get on base and keep rallies alive. With 14 hits and 7 RBIs in just 11 games, D’Angelo has quietly become a catalyst for the Rox offense. His ability to put the ball in play and work counts makes him a tough out and a valuable asset at the top or middle of the order.

But this moment felt different. Instead of sticking to rivalry scripts or only boosting teammates, he recognized greatness from across the field. And that’s exactly what Montgomery’s homer demanded: recognition, not just from fans or scouts, but from peers who understand the weight of a moment like that. In doing so, D’Angelo showed a maturity that extends beyond his last name. He reminded us that today’s players aren’t just athletes, they’re influencers and storytellers.

Like father, like son, David Ortiz spreading baseball joy

While D’Angelo was busy turning heads on Instagram, his father, the iconic David Ortiz, was quietly making another kind of magic, this time at Fenway Park. Just days before his son gave props to a White Sox slugger, Big Papi was spotted walking side-by-side with Abi, a young Make-A-Wish recipient donning her Red Sox gear with pride and awe. The moment wasn’t staged; it radiated authenticity. As Abi clutched a baseball and waved a foam finger, Ortiz smiled behind his shades, embodying what joy looks like when baseball becomes personal.

The interaction wasn’t about celebrity. It was about connection. For Abi, meeting her favorite player in her favorite ballpark wasn’t just a wish; it was validation. And Ortiz, never one to treat these moments lightly, leaned in with full presence. He wasn’t just checking a box; he was building a memory. “Thank you for making her dreams come true, Big Papi!” read the caption from the Red Sox Community page, short, heartfelt, and packed with emotion. In just a few hours, that single post lit up timelines with a reminder of why sports matter beyond the scoreboard.

Now, zoom out. You have David Ortiz, a legend known for clutch hits and a bigger-than-life personality, spreading kindness in Boston. Then you have his son, D’Angelo, hyping up a rival player online not out of obligation but admiration. That’s not just a coincidence, it’s character. It’s the kind of legacy that transcends generations and box scores. Both father and son found different ways to celebrate baseball’s power: one through an unforgettable meet-and-greet, the other with a social media shoutout that caught fire.

In the end, legacy isn’t just about big swings, but big-hearted moments that transcend team colors. In both cases, joy was the currency, and they gave it freely.