No. 34 will hang with best
David Ortiz will be gone at this time next year, but his No. 34 will not disappear from Fenway Park.
During the finale of a threeday tribute honoring the retiring designated hitter, Ortiz was presented a handful of gifts yesterday. Among them, the Red Sox announced they will retire his No. 34 next year, the 10th so honored by the team.
“I want to thank everyone for being here today,” Ortiz finally said at the end of the tribute. “This day is so special.”
With red carpet leading Ortiz out of the Red Sox dugout, the 40-year-old stepped onto the field shortly after 2 p.m. and remained for almost an hour. Third-base coach Brian Butterfield ran out to give him a pair of boots. Doctor Dan Dyrek and president of baseball operations
Dave Dombrowski presented him a bat made out of solid gold. Mayor Marty Walsh, Gov. Charlie Baker and Speaker of the House
Robert DeLeo joined Ortiz on the field to announce the naming of the David Ortiz Bridge — the portion of Brookline Avenue spanning the Massachusetts Turnpike — and David Ortiz Drive, the Yawkey Way extension that connects Brookline Avenue to the commuter rail station.
The latter had the slugger covering his mouth in disbelief.
“We started talking a couple weeks ago about what we might do and we went through a couple variations of ideas that didn’t work for one reason or another,” Baker said. “Our original thought was we would just put it on the overpass, because we assumed the bridge had already been named. Somebody looked into it and came back and said, ‘You’re never going to believe this, but that’s like the one bridge in Boston that has no name.’ And we’re like, ‘Well, we have an idea.’ And our colleagues in the legislature jumped on board.
“I think it’s a fitting tribute to somebody who, as the mayor said, was about much more than just sports.” Red Sox principal owner Tom
Henry and chairman Tom Werner then presented Ortiz with the news of his soon-to-be-retired number.
Along with commissioner Rob Manfred, the club also announced the start of the David Ortiz Fellowship Program, which will select one college graduate annually to work a year in the Red Sox front office. The person is supposed to be someone who demonstrates an Ortiz-like personality and passion.
Of all the gifts Ortiz has received this year, he’s often said the donations to the David Ortiz Children’s Fund — which helps pay for kids in the Dominican Republic to undergo life-saving heart surgeries — have been the most meaningful. The Red Sox Foundation donated $500,000, a number ownership then matched for a total donation of $1 million.
“More than what I expect,” Ortiz said after the Sox’ 2-1 loss to the Blue Jays. “It was unbelievable. I wasn’t expecting so much.”
‘Found gold’ in ’pen
Drew Pomeranz threw 11⁄ innings of scoreless ball, touching 95 mph on the radar gun in his first appearance out of the bullpen. Shut down as a starter due to forearm soreness, the lefty could end up helping out of the ’pen this postseason.
“That was outstanding,” manager John Farrell said. “More velocity than maybe anticipated. A lot of strikes. That could be a little bit of a found gold situation with him going to the bullpen.”
Before the game, Manfred said the Red Sox could have had the Pomeranz trade rescinded after the San Diego Padres were found to have failed to disclose medical records. Part of the reason the Sox did not was because the trading deadline had already passed.
“That is the normal remedy, that is what we always do,” Manfred said of the league’s offer. “As I said, their response to that was, ‘they were not interested.’ And I understand why: the trading deadline had gone past, and options had been foreclosed.”
Pomeranz was dealt for top pitching prospect Anderson Espinoza on July 14 as the All-Star break ended. The Herald has learned the Sox could have had the trade rescinded in July, before the non-waiver deadline as well, but chose not to.
Pomeranz had a 4.59 ERA in 682⁄ innings with the Red Sox. He 3 is arbitration eligible and under team control through 2018.
Porcello, then Price
The Red Sox have been lining up their rotation to pitch Rick Porcello in Game 1 and David Price in 3 Game 2 of the American League Division Series against the Cleveland Indians starting on Thursday, but Farrell took until yesterday to formally announce it.
Farrell said he informed Porcello days ago.
“I figured I’d be starting one of those games, so I’m ready for the challenge and looking forward to it,” Porcello said.
Eduardo Rodriguez or Clay Buchholz will start Game 3 on Sunday at Fenway Park.
Lefty Henry Owens and utility man Deven Marrero will report to Fort Myers today, so they won’t be on the ALDS roster. Farrell said additionally that right-handed reliever Noe Ramirez’ season is finished.