Sports
D’Angelo Ortiz, son of Big Papi, returns to Red Sox spring training to forge his own path
FORT MYERS, Fla. — Even by the anonymous standards of minor league baseball, No. 44 in Boston Red Sox camp is not a star. He was a late-round draft pick, didn’t get a big signing bonus and remains unranked — even among Red Sox players — by the usual prospect evaluation outlets. He was not invited to Major League spring training, and there’s no guarantee he’ll ever play in the majors.
But when former Red Sox reliever Koji Uehara arrived in Red Sox camp, he posed for pictures with the young man. Hall of Famer Pedro Martínez hugged him. The kid is one of countless 20-year-olds trying to make it in professional baseball, anonymous except for the name on the back of his jersey: Ortiz. As in, D’Angelo Ortiz. Son of Red Sox legend David Ortiz.
When D’Angelo steps out of the minor league clubhouse at the Red Sox spring training facility and turns right, he jogs past a giant picture of his dad. He stops occasionally to talk to Red Sox executives and former players he’s known since he was a kid, but the conversations are brief. D’Angelo has work to do. More groundballs. More batting practice. Zero requests for special treatment.
“The least that I could do is show how serious I take this,” D’Angelo said. “I just want to show that taking a chance on me is not a thing that is because of the name or anything like that.”
His name helped introduce the sport that he loves. It granted him remarkable access to the game at its highest level. But to expect it to do any more than that?
“He knows,” David Ortiz said, “that’s not going to take him anywhere.”
The Red Sox drafted D’Angelo last summer, taking him in the 19th round out of Miami Dade Community College, a baseball powerhouse. D’Angelo was selected 567th overall and signed for a slot allotment of $150,000, roughly three percent of what the Red Sox gave their first-round selection. Ortiz never got into an official game last season, but when the Red Sox opened their complex for optional workouts in the fall, D’Angelo was there. When they opened again in the weeks ahead of spring training, D’Angelo was back.
His reputation among coaches and executives is not of baseball royalty but of a baseball rat. D’Angelo has been ready to work and eager to learn. He’s open to new techniques and happy to try the latest technology. He shies away from little and dismisses even less.
“Someone who’s really trying to tap into his ability to maximize his talent,” farm director Brian Abraham said about D’Angelo. “He understands that there’s a long way to go to become a successful big leaguer. There’s a long way to go to get to the upper levels. But I don’t think he’s not going to get there due to lack of work or lack of wanting to get there.”
The Red Sox say these things on and off the record. There are no snide remarks on the side while publicly singing his praises. The younger Ortiz has been a constant presence, not for photo ops with Hall of Famers, but for ground balls on the back fields and extra swings in the cage. He’s confident, but also well aware that he’s nowhere close to the big leagues. He knows what the big leagues look like, and this isn’t it, but he’s hellbent on getting there.
D’Angelo said he still remembers riding to Fenway Park with his dad, who at that point had won multiple Silver Sluggers, played in multiple All-Star Games, and owned three World Series rings. Cooperstown was a formality. Still, David would drive the streets of Boston, telling his son that each day was another in which even Big Papi would have to prove himself all over again.
In the Red Sox clubhouse, young D’Angelo certainly admired the superstars, but he also took note of the talented players who came and went, unable to stick in the big leagues, and some of his favorite players were utility infielders — Brock Holt and Deven Marrero among them — who couldn’t take anything for granted, put in work every day and still made time for the 10-year-old kid bouncing around the clubhouse. D’Angelo came to appreciate work ethic and to value teamwork and kindness.
“My passion so happens to be baseball,” D’Angelo said. “But if I grew up wanting to be a doctor, I’m sure I would try everything in my power to be the best doctor I could be.”
There is a burden that comes with this particular last name in this particular organization. For D’Angelo, it is a challenge of familiarity. He now answers to a farm director, Abraham, who was once a Red Sox bullpen catcher protecting young D’Angelo from batting practice line drives. D’Angelo agreed to an interview for this story after being asked by a director of media relations, Abby Murphy, who used to babysit for him. Red Sox manager Alex Cora, chief baseball officer Craig Breslow, and coaching staff staple Jason Varitek all played with D’Angelo’s father.
This organization has known D’Angelo as a little boy. Now, he’s reintroducing himself as a baseball player.
“Part of that,” D’Angelo said, “is showing I’m not just a kid anymore who wants to run around and kind of be in the shadow.”
D’Angelo was a regular presence around the Red Sox growing up. (AP Photo / Elise Amendola)
His fellow players notice. D’Angelo’s personality is less bombastic than his father’s, but it’s no less engaging. He talks about a desire to “dominate the training environment,” and people in the organization say he’s already emerged as a leader. His fluency in both Spanish and English makes him a unifier to whom other players gravitate.
One of the Red Sox’s big three prospects, Marcelo Mayer, was in Fort Myers this offseason and met D’Angelo in the lunchroom. The two sat together to eat, and D’Angelo remembers the conversation lasting a half hour. Mayer thinks it might have been three times as long. They talked swings and approach. Mayer, D’Angelo said, offered the kind of insight typical of a 10-year major league veteran. D’Angelo, Mayer said, exuded the passion not of a player who’d seen it all but of one who was eager to learn more.
“He’s one of the most humble, hard-working kids that I’ve been around,” Mayer said. “You would have no clue that his dad is David Ortiz.”
That’s kind of the point, and kind of not. D’Angelo is proud of his dad. He does not shy away from that legacy. Being back at JetBlue Park, he said, is “nostalgic.” He doesn’t wear his father’s No. 34 and wouldn’t have wanted it, but he also wouldn’t have cared if he’d been assigned it. It’s a part of a wonderful history, and D’Angelo appreciates that, but his focus is on the future.
“I did my thing. He’s got to do his,” David said. “He knows the hardest working guy in the room is the one that gets closer and closer and closer to the promised land. There is no shortcut.”
Asked about his father’s own rise from obscurity — David was famously traded and then released before becoming one of the great hitters of his generation — D’Angelo dismissed the comparison, just as he politely dismissed a question about having to exceed expectations as such a late-round pick. None of it is going to matter, he said, if — and when — he performs on the field.
And besides, the way D’Angelo sees it, he can already do things his father could never do. D’Angelo bats and throws right-handed. His primary position is third base. David was a lefty who played exclusively at DH and first base. David couldn’t play the hot corner, even in the low minors. His son is doing that every day. He’s got some speed, range and athleticism.
Point is, the father found one path to the big leagues. The son is forging another. That’s the way it has to be.
“What I will always idolize from him is that in his specific craft, which was hitting, he was able to get the most out of it and become the best player he was able to become,” D’Angelo said. “And whether I’m playing infield or outfield or DH, I want to be able to make the most out of whatever I am.”
There is some ambiguity there — “Whatever I am” — and D’Angelo and the Red Sox are in the process of figuring that out. After all the car rides to the ballpark, all the afternoons in the clubhouse, and all the conversations at home, a passion has been lit and the life lessons have been learned. It’s time for D’Angelo Ortiz to find out what kind of ballplayer he can be.
“I don’t have to stay much to him now,” David said. “Everything he’s doing, he’s doing on his own. I just watch.”
(Top photo: John Shishmanian / USA Today via Imagn Images)
Sports
Titans star Jeffery Simmons calls burglars ‘f—ing cowards’ after home break-in during game vs 49ers
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Tennessee Titans star defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons ripped into those who burglarized his home while he played against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.
There were “at least six suspects” who burglarized Simmons’ Nashville home, which came shortly after 7 p.m., the Metro Nashville Police Department told ESPN.
That was the exact time frame the Titans were facing the 49ers in the Bay Area.
Jeffery Simmons of the Tennessee Titans looks on during halftime against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Nissan Stadium on Nov. 30, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Jeff Dean/Getty Images)
“What if any of my family members was in my house??” Simmons wrote on social media while showing security camera footage of the burglars trying to enter his home. “All that materialistic s—- you can have but this is crazy!”
Simmons also called the burglars “f—ing cowards,” though he was complimentary of the Metro Nashville PD.
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“I want to extend my sincere appreciation to the Metro Nashville Police Department and the Titans’ security team for their professionalism and swift response,” Simmons said in a statement. “Their dedication to ensuring the safety of our entire Nashville community does not go unnoticed. I remain thankful for God’s protection and grace.”
The suspects were said to have gained entry to Simmons’ home “after smashing out window glass,” while “multiple items were taken” in the process.
It’s unclear exactly what was taken from Simmons’ home.
Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (98) reacts after sacking Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (not pictured) during the fourth quarter at Huntington Bank Field on Dec. 7, 2025. (Scott Galvin/Imagn Images)
Meanwhile, Simmons was able to find the end zone despite the loss to the 49ers, so a good personal performance came to a screeching halt once he found out the news.
But unfortunately, Simmons isn’t the only NFL star who has been burglarized while playing a game.
Kansas City Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce had it happen last season, as did Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow. All of those burglaries were in connection with a South American theft group that was specifically targeting NFL and NBA players.
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Cleveland Browns rookie Shedeur Sanders also saw $200,000 worth of property taken from his residence while they were playing the Baltimore Ravens earlier this season.
The Titans’ security team said it is “actively working” with local police to recover the stolen items.
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MONDAY’S RESULTS
BOYS
CITY SECTION
AMIT 43, Valley Oaks CES 25
Arleta 70, Monroe 59
Bell 52, South East 34
Bravo 83, View Park 82
CALS Early College 36, Magnolia Science Academy 20
Contreras 86, Belmont 15
Downtown Magnets 65, Lincoln 61
East College Prep 51, Brio College Prep 38
East Valley 46, Van Nuys 31
Fulton 63, Lakeview Charter 20
Garfield 48, South Gate 34
Granada Hills Kennedy 68, Reseda 23
LA Roosevelt 60, Legacy 47
Locke 59, Animo Watts 56
Orthopaedic 69, Annenberg 44
RFK Community 58, Mendez 49
Sun Valley Poly73, North Hollywood 58
Triumph Charter 69, LA Marshall 59
Vaughn 73, Panorama 58
SOUTHERN SECTION
ACE 82, PAL Academy 54
Alta Loma 48, Diamond Ranch 41
Anaheim 70, Magnolia 27
Arroyo 71, El Monte 28
Bell Gardens 68, Glenn 39
Bonita 60, San Dimas 56
Chaparral 76, California 71
Colton 83, Desert Hot Springs 67
Costa Mesa 75, Savanna 68
Crossroads Christian 39, Grove School 28
Desert Christian 67, Lancaster Baptist 54
Eastside 71, Quartz Hill 64
El Rancho 66, Duarte 30
Elsinore 58, Great Oak 55
Gabrielino 51, Rosemead 46
Highland 53, Antelope Valley 34
Hillcrest 68, Indian Springs 61
Knight 86, Lancaster 32
Lakeside 54, Patriot 42
Liberty 67, Beaumont 64
Magnolia Science Academy 55, Legacy College Prep 31
Malibu 69, Nordhoff 34
Mary Star of the Sea 64, Chadwick 60
Mesa Grande Academy 85, RSCSM 30
Mesrobian 47, New Covenant Academy 44
Montclair 84, Rim of the World 45
Moreno Valley 53, Vista del Lago 44
Ontario 68, La Sierra 27
Orange 59, Pasadena Marshall 37
Paloma Valley 56, San Jacinto 48
Pasadena 80, Burbank 53
Placentia Valencia 60, Santa Ana 32
Perris 81, Heritage 45
Redlands 46, Banning 41
Rialto 65, Norco 64
Riverside King 57, Riverside Poly 55
Santa Maria 86, Valley Christian Academy 69
Serrano 48, Arroyo Valley 37
Sherman Indian 59, California Lutheran 53
Summit 73, Yucaipa 56
Thousand Oaks 72, Simi Valley 40
Valley Torah 100, St. Monica Academy 68
Valley View 75, Jurupa Valley 45
Vasquez 98, PACS 40
Viewpoint 60, Hillcrest Christian 37
Westlake 51, Oak Park 37
Whitney 69, Godinez 63
Woodbridge 69, El Toro 48
INTERSECTIONAL
Compton 74, Crenshaw 53
Gahr 76, Rancho Dominguez 52
Marquez 65, Whittier 30
New Roads 47, Animo Venice 28
San Gabriel 66, Sotomayor 39
GIRLS
CITY SECTION
Animo Robinson 37, Smidt Tech 33
Animo Watts 55, Locke 29
Brio College Prep 24, East College Prep 20
Contreras 42, Belmont 4
Crenshaw 41, Torres 16
Granada Hills Kennedy 67, Reseda 15
Grant 64, Chavez 3
Hollywood 44, Roybal 12
Northridge Academy 58, East Valley 9
Orthopaedic 25, Annenberg 14
RFK Community 27, Mendez 18
Sherman Oaks CES 75, Fulton 7
South East 35, Bell 27
Verdugo Hills 56, Eagle Rock 31
SOUTHERN SECTION
Aliso Niguel 60, Edison 23
Arroyo 34, El Monte 25
Arroyo Valley 42, San Gorgonio 29
Baldwin Park 60, La Puente 15
Bonita 48, San Dimas 39
Burbank 64, Pasadena 40
Carter 77, Adelanto 54
Chino 58, Ayala 38
Citrus Valley 54, Liberty 52
Coachella Valley 45, Palo Verde Valley 36
Covina 49, Sierra Vista 40
Desert Christian 46, Lancaster Baptist 27
Don Lugo 53, Bloomington 16
Eastside 56, Quartz Hill 24
El Modena 40, Irvine University 15
El Segundo 60, Montebello 18
Flintridge Sacred Heart 50, Muir 43
Fontana 50, Patriot 42
Foothill Tech 35, Santa Barbara 23
Gabrielino 40, Rosemead 27
Garden Grove 53, Garden Grove Pacifica 17
Glenn 36, Firebaugh 11
Heritage 56, Corona 38
Highland 60, Antelope Valley 26
Hillcrest 61, Valley View 37
Irvine 36, Tustin 34
Jurupa Valley 47, Norco 19
Laguna Beach 42, Savanna 39
Lancaster 55, Knight 22
Loma Linda Academy 42, Desert Chapel 13
Los Altos 60, Mayfair 23
Los Amigos 43, Artesia 25
Mesa Grande Academy 80, River Springs Charter 10
Monrovia 39, Ramona Convent 31
Newbury Park 55, Santa Paula 26
Nordhoff 54, Cate 31
Paramount 58, Lakewood 40
Redlands 35, Banning 19
Royal 47, Channel Islands 39
San Jacinto Valley Academy 34, Santa Rosa Academy 26
Santa Maria 61, Valley Christian Academy 37
Schurr 45, California 37
Segerstrom 49, Long Beach Wilson 46
Silver Valley 55, Sultana 30
Southlands Christian 49, Bassett 10
Temple City 35, San Gabriel 27
Twentynine Palms 55, Cathedral City 13
Vasquez 45, Palmdale Academy Charter 6
Vista Murrieta 40, Beaumont 37
Western Christian 64, Workman 14
West Torrance 74, Torrance 36
Whittier Christian 68, NOVA Academy 13
Wiseburn-Da Vinci 66, South Torrance 60
Woodbridge 66, Katella 37
Yucaipa 51, Summit 46
YULA 64, ISLA 26
INTERSECTIONAL
Compton Centennial 43, Rancho Dominguez 16
Dominguez 50, LA Jordan 8
LACES 62, Inglewood 35
Warner 40, Anza Hamilton 33
Westchester 53, Leuzinger 52
Sports
South Carolina legend Steve Taneyhill, known for iconic ‘home run’ touchdown celebration, dead at 52
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Former South Carolina quarterback Steve Taneyhill, who played for the Gamecocks from 1992-95, has died at 52.
The Gamecocks athletic department confirmed on Monday that Taneyhill died overnight in his sleep, though no cause of death was provided.
“Taneyhill was inducted into the University of South Carolina Athletics Hall of Fame in 2006,” the Gamecocks said in a statement about his death. “He was named Freshman of the Year by Sports Illustrated and Football News Freshman All-America in 1992.
USC Steve Taneyhill taunts Clemson fans after USC beat Clemson 24-13 at Clemson in 1992. (Tim Dominick/The State/Tribune News Service)
“An exciting player, Taneyhill was known for his iconic mullet hair and his ‘home run swing’ after touchdown passes.”
Taneyhill led the Gamecocks to its first-ever bowl victory in program history in 1994, his junior season at South Carolina. They defeated West Virginia in the Carquest Bowl.
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And when Taneyhill threw touchdowns, he would perform his famous “home run swing,” as the statement read, in celebration.
A native of Altoona, Pennsylvania, Taneyhill notched South Carolina records with 753 completions and 62 passing touchdowns over his four seasons. He also was second with 8,782 passing yards and seventh with a 60.5 completion rate.
Taneyhill’s senior season in 1995 saw him lead the SEC in completions (261), pass attempts (389) and completion percentage (67.1) on his way to 3,094 passing yards with 29 touchdowns and nine interceptions.
Quarterback Steve Taneyhill of South Carolina University drops back to pass during a 42-23 loss to the University of Georgia at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia on Sept. 2 1995. (Jamie Squire/Allsport)
For his performance as a Gamecocks star, Taneyhill was later inducted into the South Carolina Athletics Hall of Fame in 2006.
To this day, Taneyhill is responsible for three of the to four highest-passing-yardage games in school history, including a 471-yard day against Mississippi State in 1995.
Taneyhill was never able to break into the NFL, though, joining the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent in 1997. However, he was released during the preseason and never once played in the league.
He later became a high school football coach, leading his Chesterfield High to the South Carolina state title for three straight seasons in 2007-09.
Steve Taneyhill , Quarterback for the University of South Carolina Gamecocks throws a pass downfield during the NCAA Southeastern Conference college football game against the University of Georgia Bulldogs on Sept. 2,1995 at the Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia, United States. (Jamie Squire/Allsport)
South Carolina’s statement said that he also purchased and operated businesses in Columbia and Spartanburg, South Carolina after his coaching days were over.
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