SAN DIEGO (AP) — David Ortiz ended his All-Star Game career with quite a walk off.
The popular Big Papi was embraced by nearly member of the American League roster last night when he was replaced by a pinch runner and strolled back to the dugout.
The 40-year-old Boston designated hitter is retiring after this season. He leads the majors in slugging percentage, on-base average and extra-base hits this year.
Ortiz drew a walk in the third inning from Miami’s Jose Fernandez, who said a day earlier that he’d groove a pitch for the slugger. Ortiz kidded with Fernandez on his way to first base after taking ball four.
A few moments after Ortiz reached first, AL manager Ned Yost sent in Edwin Encarnacion to run and Ortiz left to an ovation from the crowd. He then hugged his teammates as they came out of the dugout to embrace him.
Ortiz played in his 10th All-Star Game. He grounded out hard in his first at-bat in his finale.
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