Ortiz shines bright as ever in farewell season

On his 40th birthday last Nov. 18, David Ortiz announced his plans to retire following the 2016 season, which included the admission, “I wish I could play another 40 years.”

Maybe he can. Hope he doesn’t.

The numbers would certainly be an endorsement if Ortiz were to change his mind and decide to hang around another year or two. Just past the quarter-way mark of the season, he again has been a catalyst to a Red Sox revival, helping them take over first place in the American League East with a season-opening effort that is reminiscent of prime-time Big Papi.

And just last week, Ortiz did drop a hint he might reconsider, telling Yahoo! Sports, “Hopefully nobody comes to me and offers $25 million.”

Stranger things have happened. Ortiz, after all, has become a celebrity since his arrival in Boston in 2003, shortly after being released by the Twins.

The rest is history — which is still being written.

Already the career leader among designated hitters in virtually every offensive category except triples and stolen bases, Ortiz is going out in style. He entered Wednesday with a .333 batting average with 11 home runs and 41 RBIs, while leading the AL with a .686 slugging percentage and 1.099 OPS.

If Ortiz is able to maintain that kind of production throughout the season, rest assured there will be increasing cries for him to return for another year.

But why?

What is wrong with going out on top?

Willie Mays is arguably the greatest player of all-time, but too often mention is made of Mays stumbling on a fly ball during the 1973 World Series with the Mets. …

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