Retired baseball legend and Boston Red Sox icon David Ortiz is now set for a formal entry into the MLB Hall Of Fame. The authorities will felicitate Ortiz on July 24th, 2022. Being a beloved character throughout his playing days and beyond, many MLB players from past & present have congratulated Ortiz on his milestone. 

David ‘Big Papi’ Ortiz is a living epitome of the ‘American Dream’. Born in the Dominican Republic in the year 1975, Ortiz was an impressive baseball and basketball player since childhood. However, he stuck with baseball as his prime passion and profession. The Seattle Mariners signed him up in the year 1992 to play for their minor league affiliate. The journey was only ahead and upwards for Ortiz from there on. 

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Hanging up his baseball boots and bidding farewell to his playing career in the year 2016, David Ortiz now works as an MLB broadcaster. He enjoys his role as a presenter at Fox Sports as much as his active days inside the diamond. While he gets to reminisce about his glorious playing days, many young players who idolized him, cherish his company. No wonder, there were plenty of good wishes from the MLB community upon David Ortiz’s Hall Of Fame induction. 

David ‘Big Papi’ Ortiz: A beloved man of honor 

David ‘Big Papi’ Ortiz got elected to the Hall Of Fame honor, in January, of this very year. The Baseball Writers’ Association of America elected him and was a lone player to be on that list. He will make his official entry into the elite hall at Cooperstown on July 24th. While broadcasting the MLB All-Star Games, Ortiz’s jolly character and charming personality were in the picture. 

‘Big Papi’ was particularly a big hit in the American League players’ dugout in the recent All-Star game. He was a similar presence during his playing days as well. While playing for the Boston Red Sox, Ortiz’s friendship with Alex ‘A-Rod’ Rodriguez of the arch-rivals New York Yankees was a familiar story. ‘Big Papi’ already made a huge impression on ‘A-Rod’, long ago as a Minor League player. So ‘A-Rod’ was amongst the legendary names to have rushed out to congratulate ‘Big Papi’ on the news of induction. 

On the eve of the All-Stars game, many star players of present-day congratulated David ‘Big Papi’ Ortiz on his induction. The Los Angeles Angels’ famous designated hitter, Mike Trout, said, “One of my favorite players to watch hittin’ the box, killed the Angels.”

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New York Yankees’ star slugger Aaron Judge said, “You’ve inspired a lot of kids, you know. Who are playing the game today, continue to go out there and do their best and always have fun like you did.” Speaking in Spanish, Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers said, “I want to congratulate David Ortiz for making it to the Hall Of Fame (Translated).” 

Whereas Alex ‘A-Rod’ Rodriguez, now a fellow broadcaster and longtime friend of David ‘Big Papi’ Ortiz, seemed as happy as ‘Big Papi’ himself. ‘A-Rod’ jokingly pulled out a long paper roll saying he has got Ortiz’s Hall Of Fame induction speech prepared already.

While all looking in high spirits, ‘Big Papi’ is sure to go through many emotions. Remarkably, both ‘A-Rod’ and ‘Big Papi’ were once a part of the Seattle Mariners. The only difference is, unlike Rodriguez, Ortiz was then only playing for a Minor League affiliate team. 

The grand playing career of ‘Big Papi’ 

Nicknamed ‘Big Papi’ the legendary David Ortiz started his Major League Baseball career with the Minnesota Twins in the year 1997. But he gained much prominence and stardom after moving to Boston Red Sox. Playing in 14 MLB seasons with the Red Sox, Ortiz was a ten-time All-Star member, seven-time Silver Slugger Award winner, and a three-time World Series champion. Notably, David Ortiz is also the first ‘genuine’ designated hitter to be inducted into the MLB Hall Of Fame. 

Isn’t David ‘Big Papi’ Ortiz a baseball player gifted with all the branded qualities of a Hall Of Fame inductee?