MASHANTUCKET, Conn. -- Two Red Sox legends from the recent past stood together on Friday night to help begin the team's annual Winter Weekend festivities, and made it clear they are passionate about trying to contribute to the team's success in 2018.
David Ortiz won't be taking any more clutch swings. Pedro Martinez won't be throwing any more devastating changeups.
But they can make contributions with their voices, their minds, their experience, their charisma and the respect they carry the minute they walk into a room or onto a practice field.
Ortiz elected to spend 2017 -- his first in retirement -- in the background.