The Red Sox will immortalize David Ortiz when they retire his number in a pregame ceremony Friday night — a much deserved honor for a catalyst in ending the Curse of the Bambino in 2004 (and delivering two more World Series titles in 2007 and 2013).
The 10-time All-Star was the 2013 World Series MVP and led the majors with a 1.021 OPS in his final season in 2016. Not bad for a guy dumped by the Twins after the 2002 season and signed by the Red Sox a month later.
Ortiz's No. 34 will join Ted Williams' No.