NEWTON, Mass. (AP) — Hall of Famer David Ortiz is committed to his post-career work like he was swinging a bat during his playing days.
He was honored in front of New York’s state Senate last week with the team he helps run: The David Ortiz Children’s Fund.
The former Red Sox star, a three-time World Series champ who frustrated Yankees fans during his career, was recognized for his prolific career and philanthropic work.
With the Red Sox celebrating the 20th anniversary of the club that ended an 86-year championship drought, the man known as “Big Papi” found himself front and center in Yankees territory, the team Boston overcame an 0-3 deficit against in the American League Championship Series before winning the 2004 World Series.
Could he ever have imagined being honored in New York during his playing days?
“Back then, no,” Big Papi said before breaking into a hearty laugh.
“Very thankfully and humbly I received the recognition as a recipient on behalf of them,” he said Monday in an interview with The Associated Press at his annual golf tournament. “It was an honor. The last thing you would think of is that happening, though.”
Ortiz’s nonprofit provides cardiac care services for children in the Dominican Republic and in New England who otherwise cannot afford it. Since it’s inception, it has helped over 16,000 children and provided lifesaving cardiac surgeries for over 1,500.
“They didn’t recognize how good I was as a player only, they recognized the good things I tried to accomplish as a human being, not as a baseball player,” he said.
Like playing in the big leagues, he knows being part of a foundation takes commitment not only from those it’s named after, but from a strong team.
