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BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — David Ortiz is getting a big honor. The Hall of Fame former Red Sox slugger has been tapped to be the grand marshal of the 2023 Boston Marathon. The Boston Athletic Association said Big Papi will lead the field of 30,000 runners and reach the finish shortly before the elite runners.
The honor comes ten years after the Boston Marathon bombings, and Ortiz' impromptu, fiery speech at to a packed Fenway Park and millions of viewers at home. The B.A.A. credits the speech with uniting the city in a dark time.
Big Papi led the Red Sox to three World Series titles between 2003 and 2016. He ended his career as one of four players with at least 500 home runs in league history. 485 of those home runs were as a designated hitter, the most of any DH ever.
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