Pedro Martinez is among the many former teammatesĀ of David Ortiz in Cooperstown for his Hall of Fame induction on Sunday.
Martinez, who was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2015, is responsible for Ortiz joining the Boston Red Sox in 2003. The legendary right-handed pitcher lobbied for the Red Sox to take a chance on the slugging first baseman, who was released after six years with the Minnesota Twins.
āPedro is a big brother. Me and Pedro go way back,ā Ortiz told reporters at his pre-induction press conference Saturday. āWe have so many memories together.ā
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Boston sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
Nearly two decades later, Ortiz will achieve baseball immortality following a remarkable career that included three World Series titles, 10 All-Star selections, and 541 home runs.Ā
Big Papi details pure emotion of Red Sox' 2004 ALCS win over Yankees
Ortiz is known for his ability to come through in the clutch, so there's little doubt he'll give a memorable speech during Sunday's induction ceremony. Still, Martinez gave him some advice ahead of the big day.
āLast night he was basically giving me a speech. Telling me what to do (Sunday). How to handle business,ā Ortiz said. āThe most important thing was that he didnāt want me to lose my focus. Donāt forget about where I come from. Be me. Have fun. Thatās what itās all about. In the beginning, it was crazy. Emotion is always going to be popping up. Just be me.ā
Boston Red Sox
Other former teammates in town for Ortiz's induction includeĀ Mike Lowell, Kevin Youkilis, Johnny Damon, Dustin Pedroia, Kevin Millar, Jason Varitek, and Tim Wakefield.
"Going back to my Minnesota days, all the way to Boston, all I can say is I always tried to have my teammates' back," Ortiz said. "That's why you're going to see so many of them out there tomorrow."
Ortiz will be inducted at 1:30 p.m. ET on Sunday.