Boston Red Sox David Ortiz Guest Editor for Sports Illustrated
By David Hill
Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz has already received quite a few accolades in his final season. He received another, more unique honor as he will appear on the cover of tomorrow’s issue, which he was a guest editor on.
David Ortiz has had quite the final season for the Boston Red Sox. In the midst of one of the greatest final seasons ever in MLB history, Ortiz has helped power the Red Sox back into the postseason once more. One of the favorites to win the World Series, it would be the storybook ending to his illustrious career.
Ortiz received another honor, this time from Sports Illustrated. Not only will he be on the regional cover of tomorrow’s issue for the fourth time in his career, but Ortiz is also being featured as a guest editor, under the headline “Designated Editor: Before He Retires Big Papi Takes Over SI.” Ortiz even provided some of his own content, sitting down with SI senior writer Tom Verducci for “The Big Interview” — an in-depth, candid Q&A on a range of topics in which Ortiz doesn’t shy away from tough questions about PEDs, his proudest accomplishments and his biggest disappointments.
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He did not stop there. Not only did the Red Sox star become the first athlete to guest edit an issue, but he also helped determine what stories he wanted to include. These tales, as Ortiz said, will help the public get to know the players better. “The public thinks they know athletes, but they don’t really know what some people go through to get to this level… The media needs to tell these stories, because some of them are really special.” Now, Ortiz is helping these stories be heard, giving those athletes a voice in this special issue.
The athletes are not the only ones getting a voice in this issue. Comedian Seth Meyers and the creator of Parks and Recreation, Michael Schur, both of whom are Red Sox fans, also contributed to the magazine, paying their respects to Ortiz in a chain e-mail.
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David Ortiz’ career with the Boston Red Sox may be winding down, but he has yet to write the final chapter. If this career ends with another World Series ring, this cover may not be his last either.