SEATTLE -- Before David Ortiz played with the Twins or the Red Sox, he was property of the Seattle Mariners. And prior to Wednesday's game, the slugger was honored by his original pro franchise in a pre-game ceremony at Safeco Field.
Edgar Martinez, the former Mariner great who set the standard at designated hitter prior to Ortiz, came out with the first gift, and it was a definite keepsake.
On behalf of the Mariners, Martinez handed Ortiz a framed copy of his first professional contract that he signed on Nov. 28, 1992, at the age of 17 years old when he went by David Arias.
Also in the frame was a photo of Ortiz wearing a Wisconsin Timber Rattlers uniform. It was during Ortiz's time with the Rattlers that he met his eventual wife Tiffany.
Ortiz -- who is entering the final months of his career -- has been honored during his last visit to each city this season.
The ceremony wouldn't be complete without a nice Seattle touch.
A man from the Pike Place Market came out and threw a large fish on to the field. The Mariners will be sending 34 pounds of Northwest King Salmon back to Boston for the man who wears Number 34 for the Red Sox.
Mariners players Nelson Cruz, Félix Hernández and Robinson Canó took part in the festivities also, and gave Ortiz a custom-made painting.
The M's traded Ortiz to the Twins on Sept. 13, 1996, as the player to be named later in a deal for Dave Hollins.