The World Baseball Classic certainly wouldn’t be the same without some legends of the past making an appearance or two before games.
That is exactly what took place on Wednesday night before the first pitch in the game between Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic at loanDepot Park in Miami.
For this occasion, it was Boston Red Sox legend and Hall-of-Famer David Ortiz.
The 47-year-old was inducted into the Hall of Fame last year after spending the bulk of his career in Boston and winning three World Series titles with the team.
On Twitter, the Red Sox posted a photo of Ortiz decked out in Dominican Republic gear.
Dominican baseball royalty 🇩🇴#WorldBaseballClassic pic.twitter.com/FvSCYUPc56
— Red Sox (@RedSox) March 15, 2023
Ortiz is certainly a welcomed guest at whichever ballpark an event is taking place.
“Big Papi” was certainly one of a kind.
Best known for his hitting, he primarily served as a designated hitter.
He made his debut with the Minnesota Twins in 1997, but made a name for himself in Boston.
Over the course of his 20-year MLB career, Ortiz hit for a .286 average and crushed 541 total home runs.
He also had a WAR of 55.3, 1,768 RBI, an OPS of .931, and an OPS+ of 141.
However, even in retirement, Ortiz is a beloved figure wherever he goes and fans certainly enjoyed his presence on Wednesday at loanDepot Park.
The Red Sox also enjoy having him around at any point.
His talent and wisdom, along with sense of humor, make him a perfect ambassador for the game of baseball and are reasons why he is so beloved.
NEXT: Red Sox Star Showed Off His Speed In The WBC
