Prior to the beginning of the Major League Baseball season, one of the most popular players in the league decided to announce that he was going to retire after the 2016-2017 season. David Ortiz, also known as “Big Papi” to baseball fans, is finally calling it a career. Ortiz is one of the best designated Hitters to ever play the game. In his many years of experience, Ortiz has played most of his career as the designated hitter for the Boston Red Sox. Ortiz has hit 539 Home Runs which ranks first among players who have played at least half of their games as a designated hitter. Ortiz has decided to retire at 40, because of the excruciating pain he has in his feet. Ortiz stated in an interview with ESPN writer Marly Rivera that “I can barely run because my feet hurt so much. I am in severe pain.” The article can be read here. Players and fans across the country still don’t believe that Ortiz is retiring. When asked about Ortiz hanging up his cleats, Tyler Cottle, the Designated Hitter for the Warrior baseball team said, “When I heard that “Big Papi” was retiring, I was in shock. Ortiz and I both play Designated Hitters for our teams, and I have always watched film on him to try and help me become a better hitter.” Throughout his prolific career, Ortiz has averaged 27 home runs a season and a .286 batting average. If Ortiz does stick to his decision to retire, he will be the record holder for the most home runs in a players last season with 36 home runs. David Ortiz’s last regular season game of his career is at Fenway Park against the Blue Jays one October 2^nd.