Boston Red Sox

Boston Red Sox: Stop Trying to Make a David Ortiz Return Happen

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 1:10 p.m. ET

Fansided, David Hill/FanSided via Call to the Pen

Given his performance during the 2016 season, and his Instagram post after Chris Sale was signed, speculation continues about David Ortiz returning to the Boston Red Sox. Stop trying to make it happen; it’s not going to happen.

All it really takes is one statement, and speculation about David Ortiz making a return to baseball will begin. That happened when the Boston Red Sox traded for Chris Sale, and Ortiz posted on Instagram about how that move “got him thinking.” Naturally, this led into rampant speculation about Ortiz making his triumphant return to Fenway Park, spending another season or two belting home runs and continuing to be the icon that he has been.

Of course, this has also led to speculation as to how his return would be received. Ortiz is a thoroughly likable player, one whose personality shines through at all times. While some fans may be annoyed after the retirement ceremonies and the gifts given to him last year, chances are any change of heart would be welcomed with open arms. In Boston, a comeback would be welcomed like the return of a conquering hero, ready to lead the Red Sox to the Promised Land.

At least, that is the romanticized ideal. But, to paraphrase Regina George from Mean Girls, stop trying to make a David Ortiz return happen. It’s not going to happen.

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The topic continually came up when Ortiz was hammering the baseball last season. And every time those questions would be asked, Ortiz would talk about the pain in his feet and how much he did not want to travel any longer. It would take hours before each game to get Ortiz ready to play, an ordeal that he understandably does not want to partake in any longer.

Is there a way he could return to the field? Sure, but it is highly unlikely that Major League Baseball would allow him to use one of those Wal-Mart scooters to circle the bases. And if that happens, maybe they can let Jon Lester have his designated thrower to let him keep baserunners close to the bag.

It is certainly fun to think about Ortiz coming back, picking back up from his incredible 2016 season. He appears to have plenty left in the tank after his performance last year. He had a .315/.401/.620 batting line with 38 home runs, and led the American League with 48 doubles and 127 RBI. But he knows his body better than the rest of us. If his feet will not let him play any longer, his ability to hit at 40 years old does not matter.

David Ortiz is not walking through that door for the Boston Red Sox. With their signing of Mitch Moreland, and the likelihood that Hanley Ramirez will be the primary DH, the Red Sox have moved on. The rest of us need to as well.