David Ortiz, aka Big Papi, was born and raised in Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. He graduated from Estudia Espallat High School and in 1992 was signed by the Seattle Mariners, playing in the minor leagues until 1996, when he was traded to the Minnesota Twins. He made his major league debut in 1997. In 2003, he signed a free agent contract with the Red Sox, and he has gone on to become a three-time World Series champion, the holder of the Red Sox single-season home run record (54) and a fixture in the All-Star Game (not to mention an MVP in our book—see here). A documentary about his career, David Ortiz In the Moment, premieres on Epix on July 17. His foundation, the David Ortiz Children’s Fund, raises money to help provide medical care to children in need. He and his wife, Tiffany, live in Weston with their kids.
Jonathan Soroff: After the Marathon bombing, did you mean to drop the F-bomb when you said, “It’s our f—ing city”?
David Ortiz: I did, I guess. I said it.
Any repercussions from it?
No. I think people liked it. There are T-shirts that say it now. It was appropriate at the time.
Place in the Dominican Republic that every Bostonian should visit?
I would say Punta Cana. It’s beautiful.
Record that you don’t have but you want?
I’d like to finish my career with 500 home runs.
In one word, what makes you such a great baseball player?
Consistency. I try to be consistent.
Sport you most like to watch?
Besides baseball, it’s gotta be a toss-up between football and basketball.
Which one can you play?
Basketball.
Want to play one-on-one with one of the Celtics?
Absolutely not. [Laughs.]
Favorite casino game?
I don’t like gambling anymore, but if I had to pick one, it’d be blackjack.
You’re 38. How long do you think you’ll play?
I don’t know. We’ll see. It depends on how I feel.
Thing that hurts the most after a game?
The whole body. [Laughs.] Everything.
Favorite Fenway snack?
Guacamole and chips.
Most unusual thing you ever did with a baseball bat?
Broke it over my knee.
Remind me not to piss you off. So you got 560 write-in votes for mayor of Boston. What’s the first thing you’d do if you were elected?
I’d increase security in schools.
Fantasy endorsement?
I’d like to do a commercial for Samsung. That would be cool.
Biggest pig in the locker room?
Pedroia. [Laughs.]
Player you admire the most?
Oh, I can’t tell you that. Everyone else would be insulted.
Would you ever let your kids play pro baseball?
If they wanted to, yeah.
Tell me a secret about Fenway that most people don’t know.
Well, I’d say the sleeping room we have—a room to take naps.
Do you ever wear all your World Series rings at the same time?
[Laughs.] No. I keep them in a safe.
Do you dream about baseball?
Yeah. Well, I used to a lot more than I do now.
Your idea of a perfect day off?
Sit at my house, get disconnected. Just hanging out with the family. I like to cook out at my house a lot. I eat more at my house than I eat in a restaurant.
Best restaurant for Dominican food in Boston?
It’s gotta be Vejigantes in the South End.
Do they have good patacones?
They’ve got everything, and if they don’t have it on the menu, they’ll still make it for you.
I have a feeling they’d do that for you, not for me. Thing that people would be surprised to learn about you: Do you keep bees, play chess…?
I like to bowl. I’m pretty good.
Who does the fade in your eyebrow?
My barber here, El Vacano.
Favorite baseball reporter?
I’d say Rob Bradford on WEEI.
If “designated hitter” had a sexual connotation, what would it be?
[Laughs.] I think I’m going to leave that one alone.
What’s your guilty pleasure?
I can watch TV all day. The Dominican Channel, action movies. I have this one Colombian movie called Tres Caines, and my wife is always like, “You’re watching that again? C’mon!” She can’t understand it. I sneak down like a cat and turn it on, but she always catches me.
One adjective to describe Boston?
United. It’s a very unique city.
David Ortiz
The Red Sox’ beloved No. 34 sounds off on Fenway secrets (and snacks).
David Ortiz, aka Big Papi, was born and raised in Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. He graduated from Estudia Espallat High School and in 1992 was signed by the Seattle Mariners, playing in the minor leagues until 1996, when he was traded to the Minnesota Twins. He made his major league debut in 1997. In 2003, he signed a free agent contract with the Red Sox, and he has gone on to become a three-time World Series champion, the holder of the Red Sox single-season home run record (54) and a fixture in the All-Star Game (not to mention an MVP in our book—see here). A documentary about his career, David Ortiz In the Moment, premieres on Epix on July 17. His foundation, the David Ortiz Children’s Fund, raises money to help provide medical care to children in need. He and his wife, Tiffany, live in Weston with their kids.
Jonathan Soroff: After the Marathon bombing, did you mean to drop the F-bomb when you said, “It’s our f—ing city”?
David Ortiz: I did, I guess. I said it.
Any repercussions from it?
No. I think people liked it. There are T-shirts that say it now. It was appropriate at the time.
Place in the Dominican Republic that every Bostonian should visit?
I would say Punta Cana. It’s beautiful.
Record that you don’t have but you want?
I’d like to finish my career with 500 home runs.
In one word, what makes you such a great baseball player?
Consistency. I try to be consistent.
Sport you most like to watch?
Besides baseball, it’s gotta be a toss-up between football and basketball.
Which one can you play?
Basketball.
Want to play one-on-one with one of the Celtics?
Absolutely not. [Laughs.]
Favorite casino game?
I don’t like gambling anymore, but if I had to pick one, it’d be blackjack.
You’re 38. How long do you think you’ll play?
I don’t know. We’ll see. It depends on how I feel.
Thing that hurts the most after a game?
The whole body. [Laughs.] Everything.
Favorite Fenway snack?
Guacamole and chips.
Most unusual thing you ever did with a baseball bat?
Broke it over my knee.
Remind me not to piss you off. So you got 560 write-in votes for mayor of Boston. What’s the first thing you’d do if you were elected?
I’d increase security in schools.
Fantasy endorsement?
I’d like to do a commercial for Samsung. That would be cool.
Biggest pig in the locker room?
Pedroia. [Laughs.]
Player you admire the most?
Oh, I can’t tell you that. Everyone else would be insulted.
Would you ever let your kids play pro baseball?
If they wanted to, yeah.
Tell me a secret about Fenway that most people don’t know.
Well, I’d say the sleeping room we have—a room to take naps.
Do you ever wear all your World Series rings at the same time?
[Laughs.] No. I keep them in a safe.
Do you dream about baseball?
Yeah. Well, I used to a lot more than I do now.
Your idea of a perfect day off?
Sit at my house, get disconnected. Just hanging out with the family. I like to cook out at my house a lot. I eat more at my house than I eat in a restaurant.
Best restaurant for Dominican food in Boston?
It’s gotta be Vejigantes in the South End.
Do they have good patacones?
They’ve got everything, and if they don’t have it on the menu, they’ll still make it for you.
I have a feeling they’d do that for you, not for me. Thing that people would be surprised to learn about you: Do you keep bees, play chess…?
I like to bowl. I’m pretty good.
Who does the fade in your eyebrow?
My barber here, El Vacano.
Favorite baseball reporter?
I’d say Rob Bradford on WEEI.
If “designated hitter” had a sexual connotation, what would it be?
[Laughs.] I think I’m going to leave that one alone.
What’s your guilty pleasure?
I can watch TV all day. The Dominican Channel, action movies. I have this one Colombian movie called Tres Caines, and my wife is always like, “You’re watching that again? C’mon!” She can’t understand it. I sneak down like a cat and turn it on, but she always catches me.
One adjective to describe Boston?
United. It’s a very unique city.
View All Events
Related Articles
Booyah!
Singer/songwriter Joelle James opens up about Nipsey Hussle, winning a Grammy and studying poetry...
Million-Dollar Man
Newton native Josh Altman opens up about his dream house, closing the deal and tuna fish...
Oh, NoHo!
'Barry' actor Anthony Carrigan chats about psychos, alopecia and Bill Hader...
Simply Marvelous
'The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel' actress Marin Hinkle chats about names, 'The Nutcracker' and cleaning bathrooms at MIT...
Thoughts on Sox D-Day
How Boston positioned itself for the future...
Celtics' Gamble Not Worth Taking
Love in the Time of Tinder
A singleton braves Boston’s digital dating scene...
Flagged for Approval
The Craigslist Ad That Won the Internet...