David Ortiz is a Boston Red Sox legend. He continued his legendary status with the help of actor John Krasinski as they showed their appreciation for health care workers.
Boston loves David Ortiz and vice versa. With his latest gesture for the city, “Big Papi” proved to be more than just a retired baseball player.
Actor and Massachesutus native, John Krasinski, is hosting a new web series on YouTube called Some Good News. In the latest episode of the show, the actor and filmmaker enlisted the help of the former Boston Red Sox slugger to bring cheer to some hard-working healthcare workers.
“I know we’re all missing baseball season but that doesn’t mean that I can’t bring baseball to you,” Krasinski said.
He then surprised the workers from the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston with a video call from Ortiz.
“I gotta tell you guys, from the very bottom of my heart, how much I love you and respect you for what you guys are doing,” Ortiz said. “Taking your life, taking your time, that’s something that it goes beyond everything.”
But, Big Papi wasn’t the only surprise the workers received.
The other surprise, free Red Sox tickets for life. A wonderful gesture for people who are putting their lives on the line every day.
However, there was yet another surprise for healthcare workers. This time, Krasinski had one of Boston’s famous duck boats transport a group of Beth Israel hospital workers. From there, they ended up at Fenway Park, being greeted by Ortiz on the stadium’s video board.
A video montage followed with Red Sox players, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh and Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker. Together, they showed their gratitude with a round of applause on the video board.
To make this story even more touching, the hospital staff threw out a ceremonial “first pitch”, rand the bases, then had their photo taken near the Green Monster.
This gesture was the least that the Quiet Place director and World Series champion could do to thank them. For the hospital workers who couldn’t join the group, Krasinski announced that AT&T will pay their phone bills for up to three months.
While it is a very generous offer, it’s still unclear when the next Red Sox game will take place and the workers can take it up, but at least Fenway Park is getting put to good use while games are on hold.