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Alex Rodriguez and David Ortiz are two retired baseball legends with significant contributions to the sport. Both of them famously played for iconic arch-rival teams of baseball. While ‘A-Rod’ earned popularity playing for the New York Yankees, ‘Big Papi’ became popular playing for the Boston Red Sox. The two players went on to achieve legendary status by winning numerous games for their respective franchises.?
Though ‘A-Rod’ and ‘Big Papi’ played opposite each other throughout their careers, they remained close allies. Their rivalry was only limited to a healthy on-field competition. Even while facing off against each other inside the diamond, they maintained a fair amount of mutual respect. They acknowledged each other’s playing skills and saw their worth in the sport. Despite playing for opposite teams with a history of enmity within, the two players kept the feeling of?friendship and brotherhood?alive.?
Alex Rodriguez and David Ortiz: Friends, brothers, and true sportsmen?
Alex ‘A-Rod’ Rodriguez and David ‘Big Papi’ Ortiz played for multiple teams throughout their career. But both of them played for the Seattle Mariners at a time, albeit in different leagues. The Mariners drafted Rodriguez into Major League Baseball in 1994. Whereas, Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, a Minor League affiliate team of the Mariners (until 2008) drafted Ortiz in 1992.?
It was in 1996 that Rodriguez first met Ortiz at a Minor League home run derby. The Seattle Mariners visited their then minor affiliate team, Timber Rattlers for exhibition play. David Ortiz was up for a home run challenge against three Mariners players, including Alex Rodriguez. Signs of a bright future shone, as ‘Big Papi’ already made an enormous impression on ‘A-Rod’.?
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Initiating a Major League Baseball career in 1997, ‘Big Papi’ stacked up the records. Simultaneously, both ‘A-Rod’ and ‘Big Papi’ also went on to form a strong bonding. David ‘Big Papi’ Ortiz got deservingly inducted into the MLB Hall Of Fame on July 25th, 2022. ‘Big Papi’ got inducted alongside seven other all-time-greats of the sport.?
Big Papi… A Hall of Fame player on the field. A Hall of Fame person off of it. What a great honor to witness your induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame today. I’m proud to call you a brother and friend. ❤️ @davidortiz @MLB pic.twitter.com/BaPWJ2IRhW
— Alex Rodriguez (@AROD) July 24, 2022
‘A-Rod’ appeared overjoyed at his close friend’s honorable occasion. Rodriguez expressed jubilation on his Twitter account?quoting, “Big Papi? A Hall of Fame player on the field. A Hall of Fame person off of it. What a great honor to witness your induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame today. I?m proud to call you a brother and friend.”??
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David Ortiz: Journey to the milestone?
David ‘Big Papi’ Ortiz began his MLB career with the Minnesota Twins in 1997. But after joining the Boston Red Sox in 2003, ‘Big Papi’ rose to stardom. Ortiz is a ten times All-Stars player and three-times World Series champion. Despite never having played together in any MLB franchise, both ‘Big Papi’ and ‘A-Rod’ got to be teammates seven times in the American League All-Stars team.?
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So what are your thoughts on David Ortiz’s MLB Hall Of Fame induction??