FORT MYERS, Fla. — Over the course of his 14-year run with the Crimson Sox, David Ortiz turned a legendary determine in franchise historical past. The Corridor of Famer authored most of the membership’s most iconic moments whereas main his workforce to 3 World Collection championships.
For sure Ortiz acknowledges greatness when he sees it, and Large Papi believes large issues are forward for rising Crimson Sox star Roman Anthony.
“He’s the total bundle,” Ortiz advised the Herald. “Nice child, very mature for his age, he needs it and he adjusted himself to this stage very quick. I anticipate him to remain wholesome and I do know he’s going to dominate on this league.”
Ortiz is in Fort Myers this week to assist out round Crimson Sox camp, and after morning drills concluded on the massive area at JetBlue Park on Wednesday he took a while to meet up with the 21-year-old outfielder.
Anthony mentioned he and Ortiz are shut, and that their relationship stretches again to the start of his Crimson Sox profession.
“It’s been nice for a number of years now, again within the minor leagues and once I was a prospect arising, even possibly not the largest prospect he was at all times nice to me, at all times made positive I knew his telephone is at all times open, he’s at all times prepared to speak when he’s down right here,” Anthony mentioned. “He checks in on me, he checks in on my household each time I see him. I believe all of us are conscious of his character, and to a man like me and to my household it means a ton, and coming from someone like him who had a lot success in the best way that he did, it’s superior.”
After a breakout rookie season that helped earn him an eight-year, $130 million contract extension, the Crimson Sox hope Anthony can quickly comply with in Ortiz’s footsteps to develop into the face of the franchise. Anthony mentioned with the ability to be taught from Ortiz and so many different membership legends has been an enormous assist, and it by no means will get outdated seeing them across the Fenway South complicated.
“We’re such a tremendous franchise with a lot historical past that we’re fortunate sufficient to be round guys like him, Pedro, Dewey, all these guys that come round, Jim Rice, all these guys which can be at camp. There’s a lot data,” Anthony mentioned. “We’re fortunate as gamers to type of get their two cents, and David, to me, has been the one which has at all times been tremendous open to serving to out and simply being there for me.”
Past Anthony, Ortiz can be bullish on the remainder of the 2026 Crimson Sox and believes the membership’s improved pitching employees may go a good distance in direction of serving to the workforce take the subsequent step after a 89-win season and an AL Wild Card berth.
“I really like the pitching that now we have,” Ortiz mentioned. “Good pitching is at all times going to cease good offense, so with the pitching that now we have I don’t suppose we’re going to wish to attain 10 runs to win a sport.”
As for the offense, Ortiz believes there’s room for enchancment however that the Crimson Sox have sufficient expertise to persistently put runs on the board.
“We’re higher than what individuals suppose we’re,” Ortiz mentioned. “Do we’d like in all probability one other thunder within the lineup? Sure, we’ll see down the highway how that performs out. However I prefer it once they have a look at us as an underdog, I type of like that, you understand what I’m saying?”
