A Bridge for Big Papi: Boston Bridge Could Be Renamed in Retiring Red Sox Slugger's Honor

BOSTON, MA — Beacon Hill's top leadership has put together a plan to rename a Boston bridge in honor of retiring Red Sox player David Ortiz.

It's a joint House-Senate-Governor's office bid to rename the Brookline Avenue bridge, between Lansdowne Street and Newbury Street, and spanning the Massachusetts Turnpike, the “David Ortiz (‘Big Papi’) Bridge.”

The legislation, formally put forward Wednesday, states the honor is:

“... in recognition of his athletic accomplishments during fourteen seasons as a member of the Boston Red Sox, and his personal contributions to the Commonwealth, notably, his charitable commitment to children in New England and the Dominican Republic who do not have access to the critical pediatric services they need, and in helping our city heal in the face of the Boston Marathon bombing tragedy.”

According to the governor's office, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation will place a “suitable marker on the bridge bearing the designation in compliance with the standards of the department.”

In a press release, Gov. Charlie Baker praised David Ortiz’s "accomplishments and heroics on and off the baseball field," which "have made him a living legend."

"His heartfelt contributions to the communities here and in his native Dominican Republic have made him an icon,” the governor said. “As a lifelong Red Sox fan, I am thrilled to be able to help our Commonwealth create a lasting ‘Thank You’ to Big Papi through the renaming of this bridge.”

The bill also has the backing of House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo (D-Winthrop) and Senate President Stan Rosenberg (D-Amherst), as well as the chairs of the Ways & Means Committee, tasked with moving the project forward.

Once the House Ways & Means Committee's work is done, the measure will go to through the House and Senate, as soon as this week, according to the governor's office release.

Photo courtesy of Keith Allison via Flickr/Creative Commons