The Beginning

David Ortiz began his journey to the pinnacle of major league baseball in the tough neighborhoods of Santo Domingo, in the Dominican Republic. Under the tutelage of his father, Leo, David took quickly to the game that is seemingly in the blood of every boy in the DR. He made it to the U.S. and the minor leagues, but found it difficult to assimilate to life in a new country. Ortiz not only had to navigate a different culture and language, as well as a new romantic relationship, but also a team that he felt would not allow him to be himself. Even more trying was the tragic death of his mother, Angela, who lost her life in an automobile accident in 2002.

David Ortiz: The Big Papi Story is the most comprehensive chronicle to date of the life of Red Sox icon and three-time World Series champion David Ortiz. In addition to Ortiz’s successful playing career, this special series will examine pivotal moments in his life off the field, from his difficult assimilation into American culture, to the sudden and tragic loss of his mother, to the raw emotion he shared with Hub fans following the tragic Boston Marathon bombing in 2013.

Subscribe to the series and listen to the full series, which consists of four singular episodes now on Apple Podcasts. The series is also available across multiple platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Spotify, iHeart, Stitcher, TuneIn and more.