\n","providerName":"Twitter","providerUrl":"https://twitter.com","thumbnail_url":null,"type":"oembed","width":550,"contentType":"rich"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"Ortiz's farewell started early Thursday. He received a long standing ovation before his at-bat in the first and doffed his helmet toward the crowd. He went 1-for-3, with a strikeout and a groundout in addition to his home run, before Cole Sturgeon replaced him as the Red Sox's designated hitter.
\"I think it matters a lot to David,\" Red Sox manager John Farrell said of the home run, \"because he didn't like the way the previous at-bat went, asked for another. And to see him have that kind of intensity tuned up a little bit against one of their starters, good to see him square the ball up.\"
Standing in a corridor Thursday afternoon, not long after he jolted the crowd into excitement, Ortiz was pleased with his final act at Hammond Stadium. There will be more goodbyes to come, but this one held meaning because of where his journey began.
\"You see a kid start, and 20 years later you see his career and being the way it has been, and then you get to see his last Spring Training game,\" Ortiz said, \"it's something that makes it special.\"","type":"text"}],"relativeSiteUrl":"/news/david-ortiz-hits-last-homer-at-hammond-stadium-c169936768","contentType":"news","subHeadline":"Memorable blast his first of spring, comes in front of thrilled fans at first spring home","summary":"FORT MYERS, Fla. -- The roar for David Ortiz cut through the humid afternoon air like a blade through warm butter, gaining strength as a favorite son rounded the bases at a familiar site for the final time.Ortiz's solo home run to right field off Twins right-hander Kyle Gibson in","tagline({\"formatString\":\"none\"})":"**Andrew Astleford** is a contributor to MLB.com.","tags":[{"__typename":"TeamTag","slug":"teamid-111","type":"team","title":"Boston Red Sox","team":{"__ref":"Team:111"}},{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"hbmig-team-id-111","title":"HBmig Boston Red Sox","type":"unsupported"},{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"hbmig-archive-element-news-mlb","title":"HBmig MLB News Archive ","type":"unsupported"},{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"hbmig-event-spring-training","title":"HBmig Spring Training","type":"unsupported"},{"__typename":"PersonTag","slug":"playerid-120074","title":"David Ortiz","person":{"__ref":"Person:120074"},"type":"player"},{"__typename":"GameTag","gamePk":469937,"slug":"gamepk-469937","title":"2016/03/31 bos@min","type":"game"},{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"storytype-article","title":"Article","type":"article"}],"type":"story","thumbnail":"https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/private/{formatInstructions}/mlb/hia5pwviifnmndghsgu0","title":"David Ortiz hits last homer at Hammond Stadium"},"getHeaderFromForgePath({\"contentSource\":\"MLB\",\"headerPath\":\"/_navs/header/mlb/global-nav\",\"locale\":\"en-US\",\"paletteKey\":\"mlb-base-palette\",\"propertiesKey\":\"mlb-global-properties\"})":{"__typename":"Header","navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"align:right;","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"MLB.TV","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/tv?&affiliateId=mlbMENUtv","placement":"right","visible":"true","subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Buy MLB.TV","linkUrl":"/live-stream-games/subscribe?&affiliateId=mlbMENUtv","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Learn More","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/live-stream-games/partners/espn?&affiliateId=mlbMENUtv","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"All Packages","linkUrl":"/live-stream-games/subscribe/allpackages?&affiliateId=mlbMENUtv","linkTarget":null,"visible":"","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Buy MLB+","linkUrl":"/live-stream-games/subscribe/mlbplus?&affiliateId=mlbMENUtv","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Watch & Listen","linkUrl":"/live-stream-games?&affiliateID=mlbMENUtv","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Help Center","linkUrl":"https://support.mlb.com/s/?&affiliateID=mlbMENUtv","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"align:right;","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Tickets","linkUrl":"/tickets","placement":"right","visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"All-Star Tickets","linkUrl":"/all-star/tickets","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":"expires:1752631200;"},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Home Run Derby Ticket Offers","linkUrl":"/tickets/fan-value/home-run-derby-offers","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":"expires:1753210800;"},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"East-West Classic","linkUrl":"/events/rickwood/tickets","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":"expires:1750359600;"},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Spring Training","linkUrl":"/tickets/spring-training","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":"expires:1774411140;"},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Postseason Tickets","linkUrl":"/postseason/tickets","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":"expires:1762145940;"},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Postseason VIP Tickets","linkUrl":"/tickets/on-location-experiences","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Season Tickets","linkUrl":"/tickets/season-tickets","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Single Game Tickets","linkUrl":"/schedule","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Group Tickets","linkUrl":"/tickets/group-tickets","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Special Ticket Offers","linkUrl":"/tickets/fan-value","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Speedway Classic","linkUrl":"/events/speedway-classic/tickets","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Students","linkUrl":"/tickets/students","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Tourism","linkUrl":"/tourism","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB World Tour","linkUrl":"/international/events","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Ticket Terms & Conditions","linkUrl":"/tickets/terms-and-conditions","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Buy on SeatGeek","linkUrl":"https://seatgeek.com/mlb-tickets?aid=15994&pid=integration&rid=1&utm_medium=partnership&utm_source=mlb_sponsorship&utm_campaign=integration","linkTarget":"_blank","visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Sell on SeatGeek","linkUrl":"https://seatgeek.com/sell/mlb-tickets?aid=15994&pid=integration&rid=15&utm_medium=partnership&utm_source=mlb_sponsorship&utm_campaign=integration","linkTarget":"_blank","visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"align:right;","icon":"shopping-cart","linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Shop","linkUrl":"https://www.mlbshop.com/?_s=bm-mlbcom-hp","placement":"right","visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Online Shop","linkUrl":"https://www.mlbshop.com/?_s=bm-mlbcom-hp","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":""},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Auction","linkUrl":"https://auctions.mlb.com/iSynApp/showHomePage.action?sid=1101001&isynsharedsession=9mislq-18JnZhOEp-FeGzvUB3G6zxwkeKqwX99MKAttEdaSACl02r4aCDzYhNvUm","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Gift Cards","linkUrl":"https://www.mlbshop.com/gift-cards/x-462351+z-94899005-3509039474?_s=bm-mlbcom-Home","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":""},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB NYC Flagship Store","linkUrl":"/shop/nyc-retail-store","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"European Shop","linkUrl":"http://www.mlbshopeurope.com/stores/mlb/en?portal=MLTS66FS&CMP=PSC-MLTS66FS","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":""},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Photo Store","linkUrl":"https://photostore.mlb.com/","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"amp:true;mobile:true","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"News","linkUrl":"/news","placement":"mobile","visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Probable Pitchers","linkUrl":"/probable-pitchers/","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Awards","linkUrl":"/awards","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Starting Lineups","linkUrl":"/starting-lineups","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Transactions","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/transactions","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Injury Report","linkUrl":"/injury-report","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"World Baseball Classic","linkUrl":"/world-baseball-classic","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Draft","linkUrl":"/draft/2026","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"All-Star Game","linkUrl":"/all-star/","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"AUSL","linkUrl":"/ausl","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Pipeline","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/pipeline","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Postseason History","linkUrl":"/postseason/history","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Great Stories","linkUrl":"/news/topic/longform","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Podcasts","linkUrl":"/fans/podcasts","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Free-to-play Games","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/play","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":null,"icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Watch","linkUrl":"/tv?&affiliateId=mlbMENU","placement":null,"visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":"Video","navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Search","linkUrl":"/video","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Statcast","linkUrl":"/video/topic/statcast","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Network","linkUrl":"/network","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]},{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":"MLB.TV","navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Buy MLB.TV","linkUrl":"/live-stream-games/subscribe?&affiliateId=mlbMENU","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Watch & Listen","linkUrl":"/live-stream-games?&affiliateID=mlbMENU","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Help Center","linkUrl":"https://support.mlb.com/s/?&affiliateID=mlbMENU","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":null,"icon":"ws-trophy","linkTarget":null,"linkText":"World Series","linkUrl":"/postseason","placement":null,"visible":"false","subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"mobile:true;amp:true;","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Scores","linkUrl":"/scores/","placement":"mobile","visible":"true","subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"amp:true;mobile:true;","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Schedule","linkUrl":"/schedule","placement":"mobile","visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"2026 Spring Training","linkUrl":"/schedule/","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"2026 Regular Season","linkUrl":"/schedule/2026-03-25","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"2026 World Baseball Classic","linkUrl":"/world-baseball-classic","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"2025 Postseason","linkUrl":"/postseason","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"2025 Regular Season","linkUrl":"/schedule/2025-03-27","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Events","linkUrl":"/events","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Team by Team Schedule","linkUrl":"/schedule/team-by-team","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Sync Schedules","linkUrl":"https://mlb.ecal.com/","linkTarget":"_blank","visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"National Broadcasts","linkUrl":"/live-stream-games/national-broadcast-schedule","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"mobile:true;amp:true;","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Stats","linkUrl":"/stats","placement":"mobile","visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Statcast Leaders","linkUrl":"https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/statcast_leaderboard","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Statcast","linkUrl":"/statcast","linkTarget":"","visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Baseball Savant","linkUrl":"https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Top Prospect Stats","linkUrl":"/prospects/stats/top-prospects?type=all&minPA=1","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Winter Leagues Stats","linkUrl":null,"linkTarget":"https://www.mlb.com/ligas-invernales/stats/","visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"amp:true;","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Standings","linkUrl":"/standings","placement":null,"visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":null,"icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"The Classic","linkUrl":"/world-baseball-classic","placement":null,"visible":"false","subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"How to watch","linkUrl":"/news/how-to-watch-the-2026-world-baseball-classic","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Schedule","linkUrl":"/world-baseball-classic/schedule/","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Standings","linkUrl":"/world-baseball-classic/2026-standings","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Tickets","linkUrl":"/world-baseball-classic/tickets","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Venues","linkUrl":"/world-baseball-classic/venues","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Rosters","linkUrl":"/world-baseball-classic/teams","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Players by MLB team","linkUrl":"/news/mlb-players-on-2026-world-baseball-classic-rosters","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"","icon":"group","linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Players","linkUrl":"/players","placement":null,"visible":"true","subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Prospect Rankings","linkUrl":"/prospects","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Depth Charts","linkUrl":"/team/roster/depth-chart","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"MLB Players Association","linkUrl":"https://www.mlbplayers.com","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Negro Leagues","linkUrl":"/history/negro-leagues","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":null,"icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"MLB Play","linkUrl":"/play","placement":null,"visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Beat the Streak","linkUrl":"/play?gameId=BeatTheStreak2022","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Immaculate Grid","linkUrl":"/play?gameId=ImmaculateGrid2024","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Trivia","linkUrl":"/play?gameId=SporcleTrivia2024","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Spinball","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/apps/spinball/game","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Pickle","linkUrl":"/play?gameId=Pickle2023","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"By the Numbers","linkUrl":"/play?gameId=ByTheNumbers2022","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Diamond Decisions","linkUrl":"/play?gameId=DiamondDecisions2024","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Daily Walkoff","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/app/atbat/daily-walkoff","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Bingo","linkUrl":"/play?gameId=Bingo2023","linkTarget":null,"visible":"false","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":null,"icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Youth","linkUrl":"/youth-baseball-softball","placement":null,"visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Play Ball","linkUrl":"/play-ball","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Youth Baseball & Softball","linkUrl":"/youth-baseball-softball","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":null,"icon":"milb","linkTarget":null,"linkText":"MiLB","linkUrl":"/milb","placement":null,"visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":null,"icon":null,"linkTarget":"","linkText":"AUSL","linkUrl":"/ausl","placement":null,"visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Complete coverage","linkUrl":"/ausl","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"How to watch","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/news/ausl-2025-broadcast-schedule-announced","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"FAQ","linkUrl":"https://www.mlb.com/news/athletes-unlimited-softball-league-frequently-asked-questions","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"TheAUSL.com","linkUrl":"https://theausl.com/","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":null}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"expires:1720022400;","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Vote","linkUrl":"/all-star/ballot?affiliateId=asb-topnav-mlb-2024","placement":null,"visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"amp:true;module:teammodule;align:right;","icon":null,"linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Teams","linkUrl":"/team","placement":"right","visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Team Module","linkUrl":null,"linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":"module:teammodule;"}]}]},{"__typename":"NavItem","customPropertiesString":"align:right;label:Language","icon":"globe","linkTarget":null,"linkText":"Lang","linkUrl":"/language","placement":"right","visible":null,"subNav":[{"__typename":"SubnavColumn","title":null,"navigation":[{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"Español","linkUrl":"/es","linkTarget":null,"visible":null,"icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":"lang:es"},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"日本語","linkUrl":"http://www.mlb.jp/","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":"lang:ja"},{"__typename":"NavItem","placement":null,"linkText":"한국어","linkUrl":"https://www.mlbkor.com/","linkTarget":null,"visible":"true","icon":null,"tooltip":null,"customPropertiesString":"lang:ko"}]}]}],"cfPalette":{"__typename":"CF_Palette","headerMastheadBackgroundColor":"#002D72","headerMastheadTextColor":"#ffffff","headerNavigationBackgroundColor":"#041E42","headerNavigationBorderColor":"#057AFF","headerNavigationTextColorHover":"#ffffff","headerNavigationTextColor":"#ffffff"},"cfEntityWebProperties":{"__typename":"CF_Entity_WebProperties","urlLogo":null,"headerMastheadTagline":null,"headerPrimaryLogo":null,"headerMastheadSponsorImage":null,"headerMastheadTaglineContainerWidth":"512px","headerMastheadTaglineContainerHeight":"56px"}},"getTeamsBySportId({\"ids\":[1]})":[{"__ref":"Team:133"},{"__ref":"Team:134"},{"__ref":"Team:135"},{"__ref":"Team:136"},{"__ref":"Team:137"},{"__ref":"Team:138"},{"__ref":"Team:139"},{"__ref":"Team:140"},{"__ref":"Team:141"},{"__ref":"Team:142"},{"__ref":"Team:143"},{"__ref":"Team:144"},{"__ref":"Team:145"},{"__ref":"Team:146"},{"__ref":"Team:147"},{"__ref":"Team:158"},{"__ref":"Team:108"},{"__ref":"Team:109"},{"__ref":"Team:110"},{"__ref":"Team:111"},{"__ref":"Team:112"},{"__ref":"Team:113"},{"__ref":"Team:114"},{"__ref":"Team:115"},{"__ref":"Team:116"},{"__ref":"Team:117"},{"__ref":"Team:118"},{"__ref":"Team:119"},{"__ref":"Team:120"},{"__ref":"Team:121"}]},"Team:111":{"__typename":"Team","id":111,"sport":{"__ref":"Sport:1"},"teamName":"Red Sox","division":{"__ref":"Division:201"},"name":"Boston Red Sox","shortName":"Boston"},"Person:120074":{"__typename":"Person","id":120074,"initLastName":"D Ortiz","team":{"__typename":"Team","sport":{"__ref":"Sport:1"}}},"Sport:1":{"__typename":"Sport","id":"1"},"Division:200":{"__typename":"Division","id":"200"},"Team:133":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:200"},"id":133,"name":"Athletics","shortName":"Athletics","teamName":"Athletics"},"Division:205":{"__typename":"Division","id":"205"},"Team:134":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:205"},"id":134,"name":"Pittsburgh Pirates","shortName":"Pittsburgh","teamName":"Pirates"},"Division:203":{"__typename":"Division","id":"203"},"Team:135":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:203"},"id":135,"name":"San Diego Padres","shortName":"San Diego","teamName":"Padres"},"Team:136":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:200"},"id":136,"name":"Seattle Mariners","shortName":"Seattle","teamName":"Mariners"},"Team:137":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:203"},"id":137,"name":"San Francisco Giants","shortName":"San Francisco","teamName":"Giants"},"Team:138":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:205"},"id":138,"name":"St. Louis Cardinals","shortName":"St. Louis","teamName":"Cardinals"},"Division:201":{"__typename":"Division","id":"201"},"Team:139":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:201"},"id":139,"name":"Tampa Bay Rays","shortName":"Tampa Bay","teamName":"Rays"},"Team:140":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:200"},"id":140,"name":"Texas Rangers","shortName":"Texas","teamName":"Rangers"},"Team:141":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:201"},"id":141,"name":"Toronto Blue Jays","shortName":"Toronto","teamName":"Blue Jays"},"Division:202":{"__typename":"Division","id":"202"},"Team:142":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:202"},"id":142,"name":"Minnesota Twins","shortName":"Minnesota","teamName":"Twins"},"Division:204":{"__typename":"Division","id":"204"},"Team:143":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:204"},"id":143,"name":"Philadelphia Phillies","shortName":"Philadelphia","teamName":"Phillies"},"Team:144":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:204"},"id":144,"name":"Atlanta Braves","shortName":"Atlanta","teamName":"Braves"},"Team:145":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:202"},"id":145,"name":"Chicago White Sox","shortName":"Chi White Sox","teamName":"White Sox"},"Team:146":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:204"},"id":146,"name":"Miami Marlins","shortName":"Miami","teamName":"Marlins"},"Team:147":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:201"},"id":147,"name":"New York Yankees","shortName":"NY Yankees","teamName":"Yankees"},"Team:158":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:205"},"id":158,"name":"Milwaukee Brewers","shortName":"Milwaukee","teamName":"Brewers"},"Team:108":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:200"},"id":108,"name":"Los Angeles Angels","shortName":"LA Angels","teamName":"Angels"},"Team:109":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:203"},"id":109,"name":"Arizona Diamondbacks","shortName":"Arizona","teamName":"D-backs"},"Team:110":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:201"},"id":110,"name":"Baltimore Orioles","shortName":"Baltimore","teamName":"Orioles"},"Team:112":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:205"},"id":112,"name":"Chicago Cubs","shortName":"Chi Cubs","teamName":"Cubs"},"Team:113":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:205"},"id":113,"name":"Cincinnati Reds","shortName":"Cincinnati","teamName":"Reds"},"Team:114":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:202"},"id":114,"name":"Cleveland Guardians","shortName":"Cleveland","teamName":"Guardians"},"Team:115":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:203"},"id":115,"name":"Colorado Rockies","shortName":"Colorado","teamName":"Rockies"},"Team:116":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:202"},"id":116,"name":"Detroit Tigers","shortName":"Detroit","teamName":"Tigers"},"Team:117":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:200"},"id":117,"name":"Houston Astros","shortName":"Houston","teamName":"Astros"},"Team:118":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:202"},"id":118,"name":"Kansas City Royals","shortName":"Kansas City","teamName":"Royals"},"Team:119":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:203"},"id":119,"name":"Los Angeles Dodgers","shortName":"LA Dodgers","teamName":"Dodgers"},"Team:120":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:204"},"id":120,"name":"Washington Nationals","shortName":"Washington","teamName":"Nationals"},"Team:121":{"__typename":"Team","division":{"__ref":"Division:204"},"id":121,"name":"New York Mets","shortName":"NY Mets","teamName":"Mets"}}} /*-->*/

Farewell bash: Ortiz hits final Grapefruit HR

Memorable blast his first of spring, comes in front of thrilled fans at first spring home

March 31st, 2016

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- The roar for David Ortiz cut through the humid afternoon air like a blade through warm butter, gaining strength as a favorite son rounded the bases at a familiar site for the final time.
Ortiz's solo home run to right field off Twins right-hander Kyle Gibson in the fifth inning of the Red Sox's 7-4 loss Thursday at Hammond Stadium served as a fitting southwest Florida farewell. There Ortiz was, a star in his twilight during his last Grapefruit League game in his 20th spring in Lee County, producing a memory for those who had watched him grow from an unknown prospect to a revered franchise face. He savored the moment.

"These are Fort Myers fans that support the Twins, support the Red Sox and [me]," Ortiz said. "I've been here for a while. I bet you a lot of these people watched me playing when I played for the [Class A Advanced Fort Myers] Miracle down here. I'm pretty sure they're super happy with how my career has gone."
They have many reasons to be pleased. Ortiz, 40, has a shared history with Boston and Minnesota. He played 342 career Grapefruit League games in Fort Myers throughout his Major League career, first with the Twins from 1997-2002 and then with the Red Sox since 2003. Hammond Stadium was his first spring home, before City of Palms Park (2003-11) and JetBlue Park (since 2012) hosted his maturation into a prized piece of Boston's history.

Ortiz's farewell started early Thursday. He received a long standing ovation before his at-bat in the first and doffed his helmet toward the crowd. He went 1-for-3, with a strikeout and a groundout in addition to his home run, before Cole Sturgeon replaced him as the Red Sox's designated hitter.
"I think it matters a lot to David," Red Sox manager John Farrell said of the home run, "because he didn't like the way the previous at-bat went, asked for another. And to see him have that kind of intensity tuned up a little bit against one of their starters, good to see him square the ball up."
Standing in a corridor Thursday afternoon, not long after he jolted the crowd into excitement, Ortiz was pleased with his final act at Hammond Stadium. There will be more goodbyes to come, but this one held meaning because of where his journey began.
"You see a kid start, and 20 years later you see his career and being the way it has been, and then you get to see his last Spring Training game," Ortiz said, "it's something that makes it special."