BOSTON - In recognition of his historic 500th career homer, which took place while the team was on its recent nine-game road trip, the Red Sox Monday night honored David Ortiz before their game with Tampa Bay.
Boston Mayor Martin Walsh declared the day to be David Ortiz Day in the city and Red Sox executives from principal owner John Henry to chairman Tom Werner to team president Larry Lucchino welcomed Ortiz on the field.
He was presented with a luxury SUV and greeted by former teammates Pedro Martinez, Jason Varitek and Tim Wakefield.
"This is home, this is home,'' said Ortiz before the ceremony. "I wish I could have got it done here, but it's not that simple. That's now how that works. I'm happy to be here, happy to be home now and it's nice that the Red Sox are having a ceremony for me.
"It's going to be a special night. I always think of the fans through the years and the dedication and everything I do. I'm proud of what I do and proud of having the fans going home happy just with the fact that we put on a good show for them.''
Interim manager Torey Lovullo gushed over Ortiz's accomplishments and his impact.
"He's a Hall of Fame Dad, he's a Hall of Fame husband, he's a Hall of Fame friend, leader, teammates and baseball player,'' said Lovullo. "He's as good as it gets. His perspective, his commentary, his overall knowledge of so many different things, is off the charts. I'm just lucky to share time with him.
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"I'm honored to be in the same dugout with him. When he walks in, I feel his presence and I'm just happy that I'm here when he's around. I can't say enough about him.''
More specifically, Lovullo praised Ortiz's work ethic and preparation, both of which allow Ortiz to remain one of the game's best sluggers even at the advanced age of 30.
"Five hundred home runs is a major accomplishment,'' said Lovullo. "He hasn't done it by luck. He's a very, very intelligent baseball player. When I was across the dugout, playing against him, I thought he was just a slugger and he just walked up there and swung the bat. But he has incredible tools and one of them is between his ears.''
Told of Lovullo's praise, Ortiz confirmed that what's gotten him this far is plenty of hard work.
"That's the way to go,'' he said. "Baseball is a game that's not easy. It takes a lot away from you. Even on the days you feel good or on a day you feel like Superman, you end up having a bad day. That's how the games go. I'm a big believer that the season is a long season and it's not how you start, it's how you finish.
"This game is not based on people dictating the way it's supposed to be. Struggle is part of this game. Being in slumps is part of this game. Maybe when Ted Williams hit .406, he probably never struggled. But too bad -- it doesn't work that way in this day. You're facing great pitching every night. I got to the level where you see the best of the best everyday, especially when you're David Ortiz. In my case, I just have to keep on working.''
Ortiz started slowly this season and had just six homers when June began.
Since then, however, Ortiz has regained his form at the plate and hit 29 more homers in the last 2 1/2 months.
"Would I like to hit 40 homers in April?'' asked Ortiz, recalling his early-season struggles. "Yeah, but I'm sorry, it doesn't work that way. It's a long season. Like I always, say, May is just May. It's not September. At my age, what you have to do is think about the day you're in. I'm not going to tell you what will happen two years from now, but I can tell you what's going to happen today. That's how it is when you get to the age of 40.
"I'm proud to be 40, though. I'm proud to be 40 and being able to accomplish what have in my career. Not too many of us get to that point. I keep on trying hard. I don't play the game just for playing. I always have a goal in my mind. I like that trophy. I'm a winner. I train to win.''
Ortiz has vested an option for next year, and will play at least through the end of 2016. Asked about additional goals, Ortiz didn't hesitate to answer.
"To win another World Series,'' he said. "I'll take a World Series (over) 500 homers, any day. That's my goal for next year. That was my goal for this year but it didn't work out that way.''
Added Lovullo: "When he walks into of this clubhouse for the final time, there's going to be a pretty big (footprint) behind. He's going to live here for a long time.''