14 of Papi’s most memorable moments

BOSTON — David Ortiz’s regular-season career ended in ceremonious fashion on Sunday, as the Red Sox went all-out to celebrate the iconic slugger who has played an instrumental role on three World Series championship seasons.

Ortiz’s numbers jump off the stat sheet, even this season, at the age of 40. But his career will be defined by moments.

Here are some of Big Papi’s top moments (in chronological order) since he helped change the course of Red Sox history with his arrival in 2003.

1. 1st HR for Red Sox It’s easy to forget that Ortiz was a part-time player in the first couple of months of his first season with the Red Sox. So on the night of April 27, 2003, when the Red Sox were playing on the road against the Angels on Sunday Night Baseball, Ortiz started the game on the bench. But manager Grady Little called on him to pinch-hit in the top of the 14th and Ortiz went to the opposite field for a go-ahead home run — his first with the Red Sox. As Ortiz rounded the bases, ESPN captured Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez — an item in those days — roaring with approval from the stands.

2. Start of a postseason legend Ortiz’s first huge hit in the postseason came in Game 4 of the 2003 American League Division Series against the Athletics. With the Red Sox trailing in the series, 2-1, and in the game, 4-3, Ortiz stepped to the plate with two on and two outs in the bottom of the eighth. Facing future teammate Keith Foulke, Ortiz mauled a two-run double off the bullpen wall in right, giving Boston the lead. The Sox went to Oakland and won the decisive Game 5 the next day, successfully overcoming a 2-0 series deficit.

3. Game, set, series There are few things more thrilling for a baseball player than ending a postseason series with a home run. Ortiz did just that in Game 3 of the 2004 ALDS, clocking Jarrod Washburn’s first pitch over the Green Monster in the bottom of the 10th inning to complete a three-game sweep of the Angels. That hit marked the first time Ortiz gave his signature helmet flip before touching home and being mobbed by teammates.

4. Back from the brink For all the talk about Dave Roberts and his legendary steal helping the Red Sox tie Game 4 of the 2004 AL Championship Series in the bottom of the ninth against the Yankees, the game was still going on in the 12th. Ortiz provided the big hit, smashing a walk-off homer on a slider by Paul Quantrill. Though the Red Sox still trailed in the series, 3-1, Ortiz created the belief that the impossible could happen.

5. Another day, another walk-off hit Leave it to Ortiz to produce back-to-back walk-off hits in extra innings with Boston on the brink of elimination. In Game 5 of the 2004 ALCS, the Red Sox were down, 4-2, in the eighth. Ortiz opened the fame with a towering shot over the Monster against New York’s Tom Gordon. Boston tied it later in the inning, but the game was still going in the 14th when Ortiz engaged in a 10-pitch at-bat with Esteban Loaiza that included six foul balls.

Ortiz set off euphoria again, this time with a flare that fell in front of Bernie Williams in center, as Johnny Damon raced home with the winning run. “Damon running to the plate. He …

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