Holiday Auction Closing December 3
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/4/2016
David Ortiz’ road to Boston started with a phone call from then pitcher and now Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez to the Red Sox hierarchy. Ortiz, who had just been released by the Minnesota Twins following the 2002 season, was good friends with his Dominican countryman Martinez and Pedro knew of his potential. Seizing the opportunity, the Red Sox offered Ortiz a free agent contract and 14 seasons later, “Big Papi” rode off into the retirement sunset with 541 home runs (483 with Boston), three World Series Titles and a bridge named after him.
Ortiz’ 2016, his final season, was not only impressive, it was historic. No other player in the history of the game over the age of 40, hit more home runs than “Big Papi”. Ortiz finished the 2016 with 38 home runs, a league-leading 127 RBI, with a .315 batting average as helped lead the Red Sox to the American League Eastern Division Title.
Offered is the white jersey David Ortiz wore for the Red Sox on July 4th, 2016 against the Texas Rangers at Fenway Park, where he went 2-5, with two doubles and an RBI in the Red Sox 12-5 victory. This size 50 Majestic Flex Base button-down jersey has “RED SOX” arched across the chest in a special red and blue star pattern sewn on silver tackle twill. Ortiz’ number “34” is sewn on the back in the same red and blue star pattern on silver tackle twill. Red piping runs along the collar and down each side of the buttons. The MLB logo, which is an American flag theme, is sewn on the upper neck. The left sleeve has the Majestic logo embroidered in red, with the right sleeve having a reverse American Flag patch that is bordered in yellow. The size 50 Majestic tag is screen printed on the bottom front left tail and the Majestic team bar code tag that reads “#34 ORTIZ 2016 50” is screen printed vertically below the buttons. Ortiz signed his name in bold silver marker diagonally on the “4” on the back of the jersey and inscribed “2-5 2 RBI” on the “4”. Ortiz also inscribed “7/4/16”, “GAME USED” and “Final Season” on the “3” on the back of the jersey. The jersey shows moderate game use with a small dirt stain to the right of the “4” on the back of the jersey and some dirt on the upper left collar. This jersey comes with a MLB Authenticated hologram (JB 753791) for the game use and a hologram from Fanatics (ZZ0021266).