David Ortiz is usually seen in a batter’s box, or goofing off with teammates in the clubhouse. There was one time he was shooting selfies with President Obama.
Tuesday, he was making coffee. In Salem, N.H.
As part of a promotion for Dunkin’ Donuts, the slugger worked the drive-thru. He donned a brown apron (the nametag said, “Big Papi”), took orders, and made an iced coffee for a guest.
It was all to generate excitement for Dunkin’s Iced Coffee Day on Wednesday. For every iced coffee sold in eastern Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire, $1 will benefit Boston Children’s Hospital and the Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock.
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As for Ortiz’s favorite drink? Dunkin’ says his go-to is a mocha latte with milk and sugar, iced or hot, depending on the season.
Ortiz has a contract with Dunkin,’ which will continue through the Sox season. It includes advertising, social media, and appearances on behalf of the brand.
It’s hard to imagine another athlete plugging coffee anywhere (Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano hawking Starbucks in Seattle? 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick pitching in for Peets?). But there is a history of athletes and coffee.
Joe DiMaggio, in fact, was the pitchman for Mr. Coffee in the 1970s.
“These are Mr. Coffee filters!” he says in one ad. “This is Mr. Coffee!”
Matt Viser can be reached at matt.viser@globe.com.