LOS ANGELES >> When David Ortiz was chosen to participate in the All-Star Game in July, a representative from the Major League Baseball Players’ Association asked him to say a few words to his American League teammates before the game.
Ortiz is 40 years old. He’s planning to retire after the season. So he agreed.
“At some point, when younger players can hear what you have to say,” Ortiz said that day in San Diego, “it’s something that stays in their minds for their career. It’s important and they will appreciate that.”
Eight years ago, when Ortiz was at the peak of his career, he was assigned to rehab an injury with the Portland Sea Dogs, Boston’s Double-A affiliate.