April 29, 2011
Hangin' out with ... David Ortiz
by Ian Browne/
Red Sox slugger David Ortiz wears No. 34 in honor of Kirby Puckett. (photo: Getty Images)
Editor’s note: This article first appeared in the May 2011 issue of New England Baseball Journal
How did you get started playing baseball?: “Baseball in my country, you can play it anywhere. You can play it in the streets, at school. Just anywhere.”
What’s the key for a young player hoping to play at the next level?: “Just try to learn how to play the game. Try to get stronger. Work hard. Take care of yourself. Stay away from drugs. As much time as you can spend at school learning, it helps. There’s a lot of mental things going on in this game. You need to have a strong mind once you get to this level to know how to get through the good and the bad times.”
What is the biggest highlight of your career so far?: “I’ve had so many beautiful moments here that I can’t even single one out. But definitely winning the World Series in St. Louis in ’04 was a blast. A lot of people were waiting for that and coming through with that after all the superstars and great players had been through this organization, that was just crazy.”
How did you wind up with No. 34?: “Kirby Puckett. Coming up with the Twins, I got to meet him once I got up there. One of the great human beings I had ever met. I wore 27 in Minnesota, but when I got here it was retired for Carlton Fisk, so I was like, ‘I’ll go with Kirby’s number.’”
Who was your most influential coach or manager along the way?: “The guy I have right now (Terry Francona). Tito has influenced me a lot. Tito is the kind of person, he played the game, he knows it’s a hard game to play. Sometimes it’s hard as a manager to deal with things when you have pressure on you. Sometimes you do things you don’t even feel like doing but you have to. He has a tough job. We all need to understand that.”
What’s the best advice you’ve received?: “Pedro Martinez. He always kept me loose. He knew the potential that I had. He knew it was just a matter of time.”
What is your best preparation tool?: “I have to go lifting. That helps me a lot. If I don’t go lift, I feel like I haven’t done anything. Of course, I watch film and batting practice and everything, but lifting is what gets my blood flowing.”
Are you superstitious or rigid with your routine?: “Lifting might be my superstition! If I don’t lift, I just feel out of it. That’s my ritual.”
What’s the best part about playing in Fenway?: “The fans. They pump you up.”
What is your favorite visiting field?: “I like to hit in Chicago (at U.S. Cellular Field). Hitting-wise, I like the park. The city is great too.”
Favorites
Movie: “Scarface. All-time, it’s the best.”
Actor: “Well, I have a lot of good ones, but I have to stick with Denzel Washington. He brings a little bit of everything.”
Nice meal: “It all depends. Sometimes I feel like a good piece of meat. Sometimes I feel like eating seafood or Italian. Boston is the best at being able to pick what you want to eat at the time.”
Dessert: “Oh man. I have the sweet tooth. I need to stay away from it. But I like chocolate cake.”
Music: “Well, country music. I’m just kidding! I like beat. Hip hop, reggae, meringue, salsa.”
Vacation spot: “I have a spot in the Dominican right by the water, at the marina. It’s very nice. It’s a good place to relax. But I’m a city guy. I like to go by the water just for a few days. After that, I get bored, so I have to be in the city.”
Sport besides baseball: “I love basketball. You see me at the Celtics all the time. I’m also loving football now.”
Idol growing up: “Actually the first guy I ever saw watching on TV was Kirby Puckett. The first time I watched a game, it was Kirby I saw making great catches in center field. I had no patience to sit down and watch a baseball game as a kid. Now I can watch 20 if I can.”
Equipment
Glove: “I don’t use it very often, but Easton.”
Batting gloves: Easton
Bat: Marucci
Spikes: Reebok
