With the help of members of ESPN SportCenter @ Night, Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz discusses fairly odd plans for after his retirement.
What do you think David Ortiz should do after he retires? He’s only made over $143 million by playing baseball, not counting endorsements and other revenues. That’s nothing in this day and age. How’s Big Papi supposed to eat when inflation, gas prices, and other expenses have skyrocketed lately? The poor man now has to go out into the real world, forget the fun and games he’s been pulling for the last 20 seasons, and actually get a real job. And, while he’s at it, a haircut. Dang hippie!
If we can leave the sarcasm for a minute, with Ortiz retiring comes the onslaught of commercial interest, as everyone wants at least one last slice of Papi before he’s gone. However, instead of boring sentiment, Ortiz knows that his strength is comedy.
Last night, ESPN debuted their latest ad for their SC@Night campaign, advertising the 11 p.m., midnight, and 1 a.m. broadcasts, with Big Papi as the star. A source from ESPN’s public relations said that “The SC@Night is an integrated campaign which reminds fans to ‘End your day on a highlight’ by showcasing fans, athletes and celebrities enjoying the late night block of ESPN’s flagship program, SportsCenter.” The campaign was developed with the agency 72andSunny, with many previous ads also having celebrities acting ridiculously funny.
In the Ortiz ad, David is sitting with teammates David Price and Eduardo Rodriguez, as they watch him write down some ideas for his retirement days. Specifically, the idea to start Big Papi’s Kitchen. Now, all Ortiz needs to do is come up with catchy names for the food that he wants to make. Hosts Stan Verrett and Neil Everett on late-night SportsCenter indirectly give him the inspiration that he needs, to the utter dismay of both Price and Rodriguez. Price even takes the time to ask if Big Papi is feeling alright.
Take a look at the two ads, the first being the 30-second version and the second being the 15-second spot:
Listing to Ortiz justify to his worried-yet-complying teammates why “Papisicles” makes sense in that big ol’ brain of his makes for a cute commercial, and also adds to the love that Ortiz has been getting as of late.
This is not the first time that Ortiz has been put on national television to discuss food options, either. Last year in January, Ortiz appeared on the hit reality T.V. series “Wahlburgers” to help famous cook Chef Paul “Paulie” Wahlberg, brother to actors Donnie and Mark Wahlberg create a new burger. As expressed in previous coverage by BoSox Injection, “Ortiz wanted it to have a Dominican style, putting his own homemade salsa onto the burger. As Chef Paul said in the episode on A&E, ‘What Papi wants, Papi gets!'”
The episode captures that same sweetness that the ESPN ads create. Ortiz smiles and goes on a euphoric trip while chowing down on the burgers in that same innocent persona that he portrays in the commercials. That larger-than-life aura combined with the personality of a little kid with a big heart is emitted through the television, just like it has when the media has shown him, such as at the 2016 All-Star Game. It’s easy to see why people are giving him love because he gives the love back naturally.
When Price asks him if he’s going to be alright next year, he looks genuinely concerned about his compadre, especially after Ortiz responds in a whisper: “Papi gonna be rich!” In all seriousness, Ortiz is already very wealthy, and he will have absolutely no financial problems after he retires. His mind in the commercials may be fragile, but Ortiz is as sharp as it comes to the mental aspect of baseball and of life itself. It explains the passionate speech on the mound in 2013, the focus at the plate this season, and the overall mental toughness that he’s shown for his 20-year career. Retirement? Come on, man! Big Papi gonna be alright.