SAN DIEGO _ The Big Papi Show played a big role in Tuesday's All-Star Game as Red Sox slugger David Ortiz got the Derek Jeter treatment in his 10th and final Midsummer Classic.
Ortiz, who announced in November he is retiring after this season, shrugged off all the attention he was getting, saying the media love him because of his cooperation.
"Hey, you don't get that from one day to another," he said. "I've been proud of (being available) for a long time. I have this connection with you guys, the media, for years. You guys made my job easier and I made your jobs easier."
Ortiz left to a standing ovation after being removed for a pinch runner following a third-inning walk.
Ortiz, 40, is having a monster season with a .332 average, 22 home runs and 72 RBIs. He's the second-oldest player to hit 20 homers before the break.
Asked if he has considered sticking around for one more year, Ortiz laughed.
"Not right now," he said. "Right now all I'm focusing on is (to) get through this year and make sure we play well in the second half of the season. Because the one thing I really want is going to the playoffs this year, and I think we've got the team.
"You see (David) Price is pitching better and (Rick) Porcello, the job he's doing. We've got a couple guys coming in, helping us out. I think our GM and our front office are making the right moves to make the team better for the second half. I told them I want to be in the playoffs this year. That's what matters the most."
