What do you get the baseball superstar who already has three World Series rings and boundless adulation?
How about a bridge.
With uncharacteristic speed, Massachusetts legislators moved Thursday to rename the Brookline Avenue Bridge the David Ortiz (Big Papi) Bridge. The honor was included in a supplemental budget.
It appears destined to be a home run. In a joint statement Thursday, the offices of Governor Charlie Baker, Senate President Stan C. Rosenberg, and House Speaker Robert DeLeo expressed enthusiasm for the proposal, which emerges as Ortiz’s retirement looms.
The bridge carries Brookline Avenue over the Massachusetts Turnpike near Fenway Park. Every game, legions of fans use the bridge to walk to the ballpark.
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The legislation states that the bridge renaming is in tribute to Ortiz’s “athletic accomplishment during 14 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.”
Officials said the Massachusetts Department of Transportation will place a marker on the bridge, designating its new name (assuming Baker signs off, which seems likely).
“David Ortiz’s accomplishments and heroics on and off the baseball field have made him a living legend, and his heartfelt contributions to the communities here and in his native Dominican Republic have made him an icon,” Baker said in a statement. “As a lifelong Red Sox fan, I am thrilled to be able to help our Commonwealth create a lasting ‘Thank You’ to Big Papi.”
Of course, Ortiz’s work is not quite done: The Sox are headed to the playoffs, where his hitting heroics will be in demand.
Olivia Quintana can be reached at olivia.quintana@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter @oliviasquintana.