David Ortiz Says Goodbye to Boston Red Sox Fans After Playoff Elimination

On Monday night, the short-handed Cleveland Indians pulled off a surprising American League Division Series sweep over the Boston Red Sox.

The Game 3 loss at Fenway Park marked the final contest of David Ortiz's career.

After walking in his final MLB plate appearance, the 40-year-old slugger tried to will his team to victory. He emphatically waved his arms to ignite the Fenway crowd during Boston's eighth-inning rally attempt, but the Red Sox fell a run shy during the 4-3 defeat.

An emotional Ortiz returned to the field after the game to bid his final farewell to Boston. Amid a swarm of photographers, he stood on the pitcher's mound and tipped his cap to the appreciative crowd.

Big Papi couldn't fight back tears as the fans cheered and cried along with him. He described the moment in the postgame press conference, per SportsCenter:

While he couldn't add another ring to his mantel, Ortiz helped snapped a long title drought in 2004 before winning two more championships in 2007 and 2013. He went out swinging despite a quiet ALDS, crushing 38 homers with an MLB-best .620 slugging percentage during his final season.

Baseball will miss Ortiz, who brought an infectious joy to the game and encouraged others to express the same enthusiasm. 

[MLB.com]