David Ortiz has no plans for Derek Jeter-style retirement tour

Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz says he doesn't want a retirement tour like the ones recently seen by Yankees stars Mariano Rivera and Derek Jeter.

SI Wire | Sep 8, 2014

David Ortiz has no plans for Derek Jeter-style retirement tour /

Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz doesn’t know when he will retire, but he does know when he does decide to call it quits, he doesn’t want a retirement tour like the ones had by New York Yankees stars Mariano Rivera and Derek Jeter.

Ortiz, 38, is having another fine season, hitting .263 with 32 home runs and 98 RBI. But Boston is near the bottom of the American League, a year after winning the World Series for the third time in the past 10 years.

Rare Photos of David Ortiz

David Ortiz

The Red Sox 37-year-old hitter, David Ortiz, went from mere superstar to virtually impossible to retire. In Game 6 of the World Series, the Cardinals more or less gave up trying, walking him four times (three of them intentionally), but still Ortiz finished 11-of-16 in the series for a batting average of .688, and was named MVP. In honor of Ortiz, we present rare photos of the Boston slugger through the years.

David Ortiz

Ortiz sits in the Minnesota dugout after the Twins lost Game 3 of the 2002 American League Divisional Series to the A's. The Twins would go on to make a comeback and defeat Oakland in five games, but would promptly fall 4-1 to the Angels in what would turn out to be Ortiz's last year in Minnesota.

David Ortiz and Torii Hunter

Torii Hunter congratulates David Ortiz after Ortiz slapped a homer for the Minnesota Twins in 2002.

David Ortiz

In 2002, his final season with the Twins, David Ortiz hit .272 with 20 home runs and 75 RBIs. The next year he hit .288 with 31 home runs and 101 RBIs for the Red Sox.

Johnny Damon, Pedro Martinez, Curt Schilling and David Ortiz

Four of the prominent members -- Johnny Damon, Pedro Martinez, Ortiz and Curt Schilling -- of the 2004 World Champion Red Sox chill on top of a box with the World Series Trophy.

David Ortiz and Coco Crisp

Ortiz indulges in a little hazing of newly acquired center fielder Coco Crisp during spring training in Ft. Myers, Fla., in 2006.

David Ortiz and Pedro Martinez

Ortiz shows that there is no bad blood between him and former teammate Pedro Martinez in 2006. It was the pitcher's first return to Fenway Park since leaving the Red Sox.

Yankee Stadium

Former Yankee manager Joe Torre was one of many managers who implemented a defensive shift when Big Papi stepped to the plate. At times, Ortiz would lay a bunt down the third base line. When successful, he would reach first without a throw attempt.

David Ortiz

Ortiz poses for a portrait during spring training in Fort Myers, Fla.

Kevin Garnett and David Ortiz

Ortiz daps up new Celtic Kevin Garnett as the Big Ticket threw out the first pitch at Fenway Park in August 2007. Garnett would later help lead the Celtics to their first NBA title since 1986.

David Ortiz, Alex Cora and Manny Ramirez

David Ortiz, Alex Cora and Manny Ramirez bust a move inside the dugout.

David Ortiz

Big Papi celebrates having won the 2007 World Series, his second title with the Red Sox in four years.

David and Tiffany Ortiz

Ortiz flexes his muscle with his wife, Tiffany, behind him after the Red Sox took down the Cleveland Indians in seven games during the 2007 ALCS.

David Ortiz

Ortiz holds the World Series trophy at the White House after the Red Sox met with then President George W. Bush on Feb. 27, 2008. Boston defeated the Colorado Rockies in four straight games to capture the series.

David Ortiz

Big Papi crushes a pitch at Tropicana Field in a picture taken from one of the heavily criticized catwalks.

David Ortiz

The Red Sox and A's opened the 2008 season with two games in Tokyo. Here, Ortiz drinks sake a few days before the start of the season.

Dustin Pedroia and David Ortiz

Ortiz and teammate Dustin Pedroia took a break from the start of the 2008 baseball season by watching the Boston Celtics play host to the Atlanta Hawks.

Adrian Peterson, Brian Urlacher, 50 Cent, Dwight Howard and David Ortiz

In a photoshoot for a Vitaminwater ad, longtime spokesman David Ortiz dresses as an astronaut alongside Adrian Peterson, Brian Urlacher, 50 Cent and Dwight Howard.

Jonathan Papelbon, Time Wakefield and David Ortiz

Jonathan Papelbon, Tim Wakefield and Ortiz get their technology on inside the visitor's clubhouse of the O.co Coliseum in Oakland.

Jonathan Papelbon, Tim Wakefield and David Ortiz

Jonathan Papelbon and David Ortiz argue in front of Tim Wakefield during a game show spoof at the Red Sox Foundation Welcome Home Dinner.

Jimmy Fallon and David Ortiz

Ortiz pitches to Jimmy Fallon after giving the <italics>Late Night</italics> host some hitting tips.

David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez

Ortiz jokes with friend and former Red Sox teammate Manny Ramirez before the Los Angeles Dodgers traveled to Fenway on June 18, 2010. Ramirez and Ortiz played together in Boston between 2003-2008 and formed one of the scariest 3-4 combinations in the league.

David and D'Angelo Ortiz

Ortiz sits in the dugout with his son, D'Angelo, before the 2010 MLB All-Star Game. Ortiz won the Home Run Derby during that weekend.

David Ortiz and Fan

A Red Sox fan gets her wish as Big Papi gives her a hug.

Ariel Meredith, David Ortiz and Chrissy Teigen

Ortiz poses with models Ariel Meredith and Chrissy Teigen at the 2011 <italics>Sports Illustrated</italics> Sportsman of the Year award presentation.

David Ortiz

A young fan approaches Ortiz for an autograph before a game between the Red Sox and Cubs at Wrigley Field.

"What Derek Jeter is doing is fine, because he's Derek Jeter. What Mariano did is fine, because it's Mariano,"

Ortiz said to ESPN.com

. "But I don't know if I'm going to go through all that. I'm not going to wake up and be like, 'I'm going to play this year and then not anymore.' To me, it's going to be how things go through the season and how I feel, and then I'm going to be like, 'Mama, it's over.' I'm going to let her know."

JAFFE: Yankees honor Derek Jeter with pregame ceremony fit for a legend

Ortiz says that he is worn out and he is not going to like it when he is sitting at home watching the World Series.

"It sucks. Sucks. You know you're basically playing for nothing," Ortiz said. "It sucks. It wears you out more than when you know you're going to the playoffs -- believe it or not.”

- Scooby Axson

Published Sep 8, 2014

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