- Former Red Sox slugger David Ortiz thinks he could have run the Boston Marathon 20 years ago, Boston.com reports.
- Out of all his former teammates, Ortiz believes Pedro Martinez would have been best suited for the distance.
- Ortiz’s foundation, the David Ortiz Children’s Fund, is sponsoring a team of runners for the Boston Marathon this year.
Former Red Sox star David Ortiz is known for a lot of things: Crushing 541 career homers, leading his team to three World Series rings after an 86-year drought, and earning the MVP award in for the team’s 2013 championship.
Something that’s not-so-synonymous with the 230-pound slugger? Speed. Or, running in general, really.
So when he caught up with Boston.com about the upcoming Boston Marathon, we were surprised to hear his thoughts on 26.2.
“When I was younger, I used to run long distance because I used to worry so much about being able to get through all my training,” Ortiz told Boston.com. “I think I could have done it, like, 20 years ago.”
To be fair, that would be before the development of the nagging heel pain that plagued him since at least 2012, but even when Big Papi first came to the Majors, the running game wasn’t a big part of his game. Ortiz, who started just 187 games of his 2,400-plus in a position other than designated hitter, has always been way more comfortable launching the long ball than running his way into scoring position. During his 20 seasons, he logged just 17 stolen bases—giving him nearly a 32:1 home-run-to-stolen-base ratio.
Watch: These runners completed a 116-lap marathon inside Fenway Park.
Less surprising was his guess on which former teammate he thinks could crush Boston: ace Pedro Martinez, who also played a vital role in the Sox’s 2004 championship.
“Pedro was the type of guy who loved the distance running preparation,” Ortiz said. “Pedro would be one of the guys that I would pick to do that. Also, remember, Pedro’s not a big guy like me, so that would probably work in his favor.”
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While Ortiz won’t actually be in Boston on April 15, his foundation, the David Ortiz Children’s Fund, is again sponsoring a team of runners in the race in the hopes of raising $150,000 for the charity.
There’s no word yet on whether Martinez is up for the challenge, but we’re all in support of former Boston sports greats lacing up at the starting line. For example, other Boston legends like Teddy Bruschi and Doug Flutie have crossed the finish line on Boylston Street.
Heck, maybe Rob Gronkowski will be up for it now that he has the time to train?
For nearly 10 years, Christa has created health, fitness, nutrition, and wellness content that’s steeped in science but engaging enough that people actually want to read it. She’s tuned in to all the latest research that people with an athletic lifestyle need to know, and prides herself on helping her readers apply it to their everyday lives.
