David Ortiz Pens Emotional, Hilarious Goodbye to Yankees

Before he takes one last swing against the Yankees, David Ortiz took one last swing at them.

In a hilarious, sometimes tearjerking contribution to The Players' Tribune, Big Papi talks about how much the Yankees meant to him and his family growing up, how much they shaped his legacy as a player, and how much he'll miss them after his last at-bat against them this week.

Ortiz, who is featured a special regional cover of Sports Illustrated to be released Thursday, had a number of memorable lines in his piece for The Players' Tribune, a website founded by former Yankee shortstop Derek Jeter.

A three-game set starting Tuesday night will be the final time Ortiz plays against the Yankees. The Red Sox have already wrapped up a playoff spot, while the Yankees look like they'll be watching this October.

Head over to The Players' Tribune to get the full story, but some of the highlights include:

• What he'll do if the home crowd decides to moon him this week. "...when the tears dry, I’m gonna step up to the plate and try to hit the ball all the way to the choo choo train."
• The physical, mental, and emotional drain of playing against the Yankees. "Playing against the Yankees was just different. It was war."
• How hard it will be playing in his final series in New York without his mom, who died in a 2002 car accident. "My life has turned out amazing, but the only thing I wish is that she could be here for all this."

Ortiz has hit 53 home runs against New York in his illustrious career, tied for the fourth most in history (two behind ex-teammate Manny Ramirez). Thirty-one of his homers have been in the Bronx; If he hits one more this week, it would be tied for the most by a visiting player.

His longball in the 12th inning of Game 4 of the 2004 ALCS against New York extended the Red Sox season, as did his bloop single about 24 hours later in Game 5. Boston went on the beat the Yankees in seven games - with Ortiz winning series MVP - and swept the Cardinals to win its first world championship in 86 years.

>>>For the full story by Ortiz, visit The Players' Tribune<<<

Photo courtesy of Keith Allison via Flickr