Ortiz is only the fourth player born in the Dominican Republic to be elected to the Hall of Fame. He joins Juan Marichal (1983), fellow Red Sox legend (and close friend) Pedro Martínez (2015) and Vladimir Guerrero (2018).
The hitter, who is the only designated hitter elected to the Hall on the first ballot, was excited and thankful for those who supported him on his journey from the Twins to the Red Sox, where he found immense success and legions of loyal followers.
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“I can’t thank you enough for building me up and supporting me over the years,” he said of the Red Sox leadership. “This organization made me the man I am today.”
Ortiz was included alongside Tony Oliva, Jim Kaat and late inductees Buck O’Neil, Bud Fowler, Minnie Miñoso and Gil Hodges.
An estimated crowd of 35,000 traveled to Cooperstown for the first “normal” induction ceremony since 2019.
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Inside the Hall of Fame plaque — 4:30 p.m
Here’s what Ortiz’s license plate says:
Minnesota AL 1997-2002; Boston AL, 2003-16. Powerful left-handed hitter who was at his clutch best with legendary postseason performances that led the Red Sox from a championship drought to three World Series titles in a 10-year stretch. Named the top designated hitter eight times while earning 10 All-Star selections. He drove in 100 or more runs in 10 seasons, leading the American League three times. His 541 home runs, 632 doubles and 1,768 RBI are all-time highs among designated hitters. Additional walk-off hits in Games 4 and 5 of the 2004 ALCS earned him Series MVP honors. Set AL record for batting average (.688) en route to 2013 World Series MVP
Learn more about how the plate came together here.
Ortiz’s interview after the speech — 4:17 p.m
Ortiz joined Peter Gammons and Greg Amsinger after the speech for an interview.
Go, Ortiz said with the plaque in his lap. “This is like a new baby right here.”
He continues: “It’s a great honor to be part of this incredible group of players who have done incredible things and have incredible careers.”
“You can change their future:” Ortiz concludes the speech: 16:08
“When you believe in someone, you can change their world, you can change their future,” Ortiz said as he entered the end of his speech, acknowledging all the people in his life who supported him.
Ortiz spoke for nearly 20 minutes.
“I Love You Boston” – 4:06 p.m
Ortiz said among the many moments that stand out, he especially remembers the 2013 season in the wake of the Boston Marathon bombing.
Ortiz says that after his last game in 2016, it seemed like everyone in New England was on the field with him. He says Boston will always be in his heart and will always be there around town.
“Our colleagues are our second family” — 16:04
Ortiz calls out “los chicos locos” — his former teammates with the Red Sox, including Johnny Damon, Tim Wakefield and Dustin Pedroia, among others.
“I can’t forget about Jason Varitek. That man is serious. I love you, Cap.
‘My friend Pedro’ — 4:01 pm
Ortiz returns to Spanish to call out his close friend and fellow Hall of Famer Pedro Martínez.
“I could talk about Pedro all day. I’ll let it go now.”
Ortiz credits his agent, Fern Cuza, who has been with Ortiz since Ortiz was 17 years old.
Ortiz begins thanking the Red Sox – 3:59 p.m
Ortiz thanks owner John Henry and his wife Linda (who also owns the Globe), Tom Werner and Sam Kennedy.
“I can’t thank you enough for building me up and supporting me over the years… This organization made me the man I am today.”
He also acknowledged his experience with the Jimmy Fund, and with his own foundation.
‘My people’ — 3:54 pm
Ortiz switches to Spanish as he acknowledges his sons, then starts yelling at the legions of Dominican fans in Cooperstown to watch their hero be inducted.
Read more about Ortiz’s connection to local Dominicans here.
Ortiz moving freely between English and Spanish. The joy of the people here who are Dominican and of Dominican descent is overwhelming.
— Alex Speier (@alexspeier) July 24, 2022
“Wow, Cooperstown!” – 3:50 p.m
David Ortiz has begun his intervention.
“I’ve been thinking about my life, my career and most of all the people who believe in me,” he said of his trip to the Hall of Fame.
Ortiz credits the BBWAA with voting him on the first ballot, the first designated hitter to earn that honor.
Greetings from “Papi! Papi!” rang out as Ortiz stepped up to the microphone.
What David Ortiz’s Hall of Fame plaque says: 3:48 p.m
Here’s a first look at Ortiz’s Hall of Fame plaque.
Jeff Swensen/Jeff Swensen for The Boston Globe
Minnesota AL 1997-2002; Boston AL, 2003-16. Powerful left-handed hitter who was at his clutch best with legendary postseason performances that led the Red Sox from a championship drought to three World Series titles in a 10-year stretch. Named the top designated hitter eight times while earning 10 All-Star selections. He drove in 100 or more runs in 10 seasons, leading the American League three times. His 541 home runs, 632 doubles and 1,768 RBI are all-time highs among designated hitters. Additional walk-off hits in Games 4 and 5 of the 2004 ALCS earned him Series MVP honors. Set AL record for batting average (.688) en route to 2013 World Series MVP
Making a Hall of Fame plaque: Go behind the scenes as David Ortiz’s hardware was created – 3:47 p.m.
Peter Abraham took a behind-the-scenes look at how a Hall of Fame plaque is created.
More information here.
What to expect from Ortiz’s speech: 3:45 p.m
Participants have been asked to limit their speeches to 10 minutes or less (not that everyone followed that today).
Ortiz has said he will speak in English and Spanish.
Dr. Angela Terry, Buck O’Neil’s niece, ends. – 3:42 p.m
David Ortiz will be on the podium shortly.
David Ortiz will speak next: 3:34 p.m
The wind is picking up in Cooperstown and the sky is clouding over. David Ortiz arrives in 10-15 minutes.
— Pete Abraham (@PeteAbe) July 24, 2022
Sixth member: Buck O’Neil, with his niece speaking for him – 15:29
O’Neil played in the Negro Leagues for 10 seasons and joined the Chicago Cubs as a scout in 1955. Chicago promoted him to their coaching staff in 1962, making him the first black manager in Major League history American or National League. He also led the creation of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, established in 1990.
Fifth member: Gil Hodges, with his daughter speaking on his behalf – 15:12
Hodges played 16 seasons with the Brooklyn Dodgers (after Los Angeles) and two with the New York Mets. He finished his career as an eight-time All-Star, three-time Gold Glove winner at first base and two-time World Series champion.
Hodges would later become a manager for nine seasons and win the 1969 World Series with the Mets.
Tony Oliva says Luis Tiant belongs in the Hall – 15:00
Tony Oliva tells the crowd that Luis Tiant belongs in the Hall. He also says he didn’t like it when “that Big Papi” hit well against the Twins.
— Pete Abraham (@PeteAbe) July 24, 2022
Oliva on Ortiz: “The best thing that happened to Big Papi was going to Boston. … In Minnesota, we missed him.”
— Alex Speier (@alexspeier) July 24, 2022
Fourth inductee: Tony Oliva — 2.47 p.m
Tony Oliva, Jim Kaat and David Ortiz are the only living players inducted today.
Oliva batted .304 over his 15-year career with the Minnesota Twins. He won three batting titles and led MLB in hits in five seasons.
Oliva was named the American League Rookie of the Year in 1964 and made eight consecutive All-Star appearances between 1964 and 1971.
Third recruit: Minnie Miñoso, with his wife speaking on his behalf – 2:32 pm
After playing three seasons with the New York Cubans in the Negro National League, Miñoso joined the Cleveland Indians in 1949 and became a nine-time MLB All-Star.
Miñoso batted .299 with 2,110 career hits and also won three Gold Gloves as a left fielder.
Second inductee: Bud Fowler, with Dave Winfield speaking on his behalf – 2:14 pm
Fowler was a pioneer for the black baseball community, playing for more than two decades. He helped establish the Page Fence Giants, one of the great black barnstorming teams, in 1894, and was involved in the formation of several other barnstorming teams during his lifetime.
Fowler grew up in Cooperstown.
Dave Winfield will speak for Fowler.
First Member: Jim Kaat – 14:02
The lefty won 283 games in his 25-year career from 1959 to 1983, which included stints with the Senators, Twins, White Sox, Phillies, Yankees and Cardinals.
Kaat eclipsed 20 wins in three different seasons and is 17th all-time with 625 career games started. He has received 16 Gold Gloves and won a World Series with the Cardinals in 1982. — Ethan Fuller
Ortiz’s daughter Alex sings the national anthem — 1:55 p.m
Ortiz’s daughter, Alex Veda, 21, was selected to perform the national anthem before the ceremony in Cooperstown.
“I’m very happy to have this opportunity,” he told the Globe earlier this month. “This is how our family works. If we have the ability to help each other, we do. There is no shyness. Being there for my dad means a lot to me.”
Ortiz’s daughter is singing the anthem. Ortiz said yesterday that his two biggest challenges with the speech would be holding it together while his daughter sings and while he talks about his parents.
— Alex Speier (@alexspeier) July 24, 2022
Veda, a rising senior at the prestigious Berklee College of Music, is preparing for a career in music production, but has also performed for years.
He chose Alex Veda as his professional name in part to distinguish himself from his famous…