David Ortiz Already Getting Sentimental, Shows Off First Home Run Ball From Dad

Friday will mark the first official day of David Ortiz’s final Major League Baseball season, and he’s already started to look back on some of his best memories.

The Boston Red Sox designated hitter tweeted about a moment he shared with his father at breakfast Thursday morning, when his dad showed Ortiz his first home run ball. Big Papi hit the first of many major league dingers — 503 to be exact — on Sept. 14, 1997, while playing for the Minnesota Twins against the Texas Rangers.

He also showed off the Spanish inscription he wrote on the ball when he gave it to his father, which roughly translates to “For my dear and caring father Leo Ortiz from your son.”

Not a bad way to get the season started.

Pitchers and catchers have their first spring training workouts Friday, while Ortiz and the rest of the squad will join them Wednesday, Feb. 24.