Red Sox to retire David Ortiz's No. 34

Brian Hines
Contributing Writer

The Red Sox announced Thursday that the club will retire David Ortiz's number on June 23rd, a game against the Los Angeles Angels.

A ceremony will take place prior to the game, where No. 34 will be cemented into the right-field grandstand. Ortiz will join legends such as Ted Williams, Pedro Martinez and Carl Yastrzemski. He will be the 11th Red Sox to have his number retired.

Ortiz's No. 34 will soon join other Red Sox greats in right field.
Photo Courtesy of Malcolm MacMillan
Earlier in the 2016 season, the Red Sox surprised Ortiz by breaking the news to him that his number would be retired during the 2017 season. His jersey retirement will mark the first time the Red Sox have retired a players number within the year the player retired. The club usually waits until the player is inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, a place Ortiz is bound to be at some point.

Ortiz was a clubhouse leader during the teams three championship runs. He is the all-time leader among designated hitters in games, hits, doubles, home runs, extra-base hits, RBIs and total bases. He also ranks among the top of every Red Sox offensive category.

Ortiz will go down as one of the best, most clutch hitters in MLB and franchise history. And perhaps he is the most important player who has ever put on a Red Sox uniform. From all the key plays to big hits, Ortiz will forever be a fan favorite.

The retirement doesn't mean Ortiz will be done with the Red Sox franchise. The club and the former slugger are discussing roles within the team for Ortiz. David himself has also expressed interest in broadcasting. Now that would be must watch television.

To take a trip down memory lane and review all of Ortiz's best moments in Boston, view a #PapiMoment here: