Watch Red Sox Legend David Ortiz Throw First Pitch At Fenway
The Boston Red Sox brought out the big guns for their crucial series with the New York Yankees.
Pedro Martinez threw out the ceremonial first pitch before Friday night’s loss at Fenway Park. Another member of the 2004 World Series champions kicked off Saturday afternoon’s game against Boston’s longtime rivals.
David Ortiz received a warm welcome from the Boston crowd before throwing Saturday’s first pitch to Red Sox manager Alex Cora. The former designated hitter didn’t fire a strike, but at least Big Papi got the pitch to home plate.
Here’s a look at Ortiz’s first pitch, courtesy of NESN:
Ortiz tormented the Yankees throughout his Hall of Fame career, batting .303/.394/.567 with 53 home runs in 243 games against the Evil Empire. He ignited Boston’s historic 2004 ALCS comeback by going deep in dramatic Game 5 and 6 victories.
Boston’s lineup can use a big bopper like Ortiz. Trevor Story (24) and an injured Wilyer Abreu (22) are the team’s only hitters with more than 16 home runs this season.
The Red Sox entered Saturday’s game with MLB’s 16th-ranked OPS (.723) after the All-Star break. They began the three-game set with just two hits on Friday.
Perhaps Ortiz’s presence will motivate the Red Sox to narrow the gap back to a half-game behind the Yankees. But the contest is off to an inauspicious start, as New York scored two runs off Brayan Bello in the top of the first inning.