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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

MLB notes: David Ortiz wants to visit Boston Marathon finish line Monday

Boston's David Ortiz joins former mayor Menino, right, and current mayor Walsh for a ceremonial first pitch. (Associated Press)

David Ortiz wants to visit the Boston Marathon finish line Monday after the Red Sox are done with their Patriots’ Day game against Baltimore.

Just over a year ago, two bombs went off near the finish line, less than a mile from Fenway Park, about an hour after the Red Sox beat the Tampa Bay Rays. Three people were killed and more than 260 injured.

“After the game, we used to stick around and go down Boylston (Street),” Ortiz said Friday. “I’m going to pick out a spot where I can see things, or whatever, because I love to go down there.”

Red Sox teammate Jonny Gomes figures attention will be on the finish line, especially this year.

Gomes and then-teammate Jarod Saltalamacchia were credited for coming up with the “Boston Strong” phrase last year as the city recovered from the bombing. The club put it on the back of a gray road jersey with the number 617, the city’s area code.

Six months later, the pair stepped off a duck boat during the parade that followed Boston’s third World Series title in 10 seasons. They draped a jersey over the championship trophy at the finish line.

Five days after the bombings, Ortiz spoke emotionally to the Fenway Park crowd at the Boston’s first home game after the bombings. The Red Sox honored first responders, and Ortiz told fans: “Nobody is going to dictate our freedom,” bringing a loud cheer from the crowd.

“Patriots’ Day is one of the most beautiful days around here,” he said Friday. “The frustration that we had a year ago: People learned from that and people learned that this is the place to be because how everybody got behind each other.”

Clearing the bases

Cincinnati Reds closer Aroldis Chapman has been cleared to throw batting practice for the first time since he was hit in the face by a line drive during an exhibition game on March 19. … Texas Rangers right-hander Tanner Scheppers has been put on the disabled list because of elbow inflammation after moving into the rotation from the bullpen and making four starts. … The New York Mets have traded slumping first baseman Ike Davis to the Pittsburgh Pirates for minor league pitcher Zack Thornton and a player to be named. … Reliever Sean Doolittle has received a five-year contract from the Oakland Athletics, a deal that contains a pair of club options that could extend the agreement through the 2020 season.