Red Sox DH David Ortiz has "already lined up a career in retirement" with his Big Papi Productions, a company that has already "produced videos for Verizon and ESPN," according to Jack Dickey of SI. The Verizon videos feature "comedy sketches starring Ortiz," while ESPN will run a series "chronicling his final season." Ortiz "hopes to do more" video series as his schedule frees up, and he also plans to "join a network" as a baseball broadcaster. N.Y.-based marketing firm Radegen Founder & President Alex Radetsky, who reps Ortiz, said that his client "expects to bring to mass audiences his goofiness and his love of food and animals" with the production company. Dickey notes many recent retirees are "positioning themselves behind the camera too," including Kobe Bryant, Derek Jeter and former NFLer Trevor Pryce, as well as LeBron James with his SpringHill Entertainment. Ortiz plans to "hit the ground running" in retirement and has already held meetings with WME-IMG (SI, 10/3 issue).
LOVE IT WHEN YOU CALL ME BIG PAPI: In Boston, Gayle Fee notes the Red Sox are sending a "giant" No. 34 around the city for fans to "take photos [with], sign a thank-you card and post well-wishes on social media using the hashtag #ThanksPapi" (BOSTON HERALD, 9/30). Also in Boston, Olivia Quintana writes Massachusetts legislators on Thursday moved to "rename the Brookline Avenue Bridge the David Ortiz (Big Papi) Bridge." The bridge "carries Brookline Avenue over the Massachusetts Turnpike near Fenway Park." Legions of fans "use the bridge" to walk to Fenway Park for games (BOSTON GLOBE, 9/30). Meanwhile, Ortiz "graces the cover of the new issue of Boston Common magazine" (BOSTONGLOBE.com, 9/29).
