Great White Shark Named ‘Big Papi’ to Honor David Ortiz

David Ortiz has received a bevy of gifts on his farewell tour this season. Some, like the surfboard the San Diego Padres gave him and the great white shark named in his honor, are best kept apart.

The Atlantic White Shark Conservancy announced on its Facebook page Saturday that its researchers had named the 15-foot male, tagged off the coast of Massachusetts earlier this month, after the Red Sox slugger. Both are dangerous in the batter’s box, albeit for much different reasons, and both could wreak havoc on a bullpen phone, if so inclined.

Ortiz, 40, already received his own doughnut from Dunkin’ Donuts, as well as commemorative, “Retirement Party” candle from Yankee Candle. Even the New York Yankees said they plan to honor Ortiz with a pregame ceremony on September 29, after the Sox brass gave longtime nemesis Derek Jeter an effusive goodbye at Fenway Park last year.