David Ortiz Reflects On Hall Of Fame Chances, Career As 'Bigtime Underdog'
BOSTON (CBS) – David Ortiz reflected on his storied career and his Hall of Fame chances Friday night as he prepared to begin the final regular season series of his career.
Ortiz met with reporters before Friday night's game against the Toronto Blue Jays, reminiscing about his most memorable at-bat (a walk-off home run in the 2004 ALCS against the New York Yankees), and a 14-year goal he admitted he will never achieve (reaching the famous red seat in the Fenway Park bleachers where Ted Williams is said to have hit the longest home run in the history of the storied ballpark).
The retiring slugger was also asked about his Hall of Fame chances, saying it's something he will likely think more about in a few years when his candidacy approaches.
"All I am capable to do is do what I do on the field right now," Ortiz told reporters. "All I've been trying to do through my career is send the right message to everybody and try to do the right thing. It's going to be up to (the voters)."
Ortiz said he is proud of all he's accomplished in baseball, adding that he came into the league as a "bigtime underdog."
"I was somebody that came to the big leagues with a ridiculous talent, and it wasn't that bright at the beginning," said Ortiz. "But I figured one thing out. If you keep working, don't listen to people. People are going to have things to say. People are always going to judge you. People will want to hold you down."
But, Ortiz said, the key to his career has been ignoring the noise.
"The reality is you are the owner of your own future. It's all about how hungry you are, how good you want to be. It's all about how successful you want to be," Ortiz said. "That has been my career. I'm happy and proud of the things I have done, but that's all I can control."