David Ortiz regrets announcing retirement before season

Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz regrets announcing his impending retirement before the beginning of the season.

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Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz regrets announcing his impending retirement before the beginning of the season, he told ESPN Deportes on Sunday.

“I’m too busy. I have too many things to do. I barely have time to do anything,” Ortiz said. “It’s very difficult for me. If I had even imagined that it would be so difficult, I wouldn’t have announced anything. There are too many people I have to pay attention to, and on top of that I have to prepare for a game.”

Ortiz said the attention he receives before each game has affected his preparation routine, which includes receiving treatment for his ailing feet. He said he has dealt with pain in his feet since 2012, and credits the finality of his decision to retire on the ailment.

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“This is what I like to do, and you see how people treat me,” Ortiz said. “But unfortunately, when your body tells you it’s enough, it’s enough. You have no idea the magic I have to do to play ball every day.”

Ortiz, 40, will retire following his 20th season in the majors. Over his career with Boston and the Minnesota Twins, he has accumulated 2,383 hits and 521 home runs, 19th most of all time.

This season he is hitting .339 for the 39–30 Red Sox, and he leads the league in slugging percentage (.699), OPS (1.118), doubles (29) and extra-base hits (48).