The mandate has already been issued -- and by the principal owner, no less.
Win one (more) for Papi.
Barring an unexpected change of heart, David Ortiz will retire after the season regardless of how many home runs he hits. And since he’s nothing less than the face of the Red Sox for 14 years running and the common thread between the World Series titles of 2004, 2007 and 2013, owner John Henry said recently it will be a “disaster” if the slugging designated hitter’s final at-bats don’t come in the playoffs.
Henry put his money where his mouth is, once again financing a club-record payroll, more than $200 million for competitive balance tax purposes.