The Big Papi Interview: David Ortiz Talks Cannabis, Baseball, & More
This Big Papi interview almost didn’t happen. Or, rather, I didn’t know it could happen. But I’m sure glad it did.
Let me explain. I’m on-air at ROCK 92.9 weekdays from 11 a.m. ’til 4 p.m. But I’m also the Program Director of the radio station. These days, that means I’m responsible for everything from programming the music you hear on the station to doling out the tickets you win on the station to making sure Hardy makes his shift on the station (weekdays 4 p.m. ’til 7 p.m.) on time. It’s a lot.
This summer, I’ve been coming into the radio station early to get a jump on all that extra work. It’s worked out well: I drop my older son off at work at 7:30, hit a local trail for a short hike, then get into the station around 8:30. When I rolled in today, I heard a familiar voice on one of ROCK 92.9’s sister stations: “Big Papi” David Oritz was being interviewed by the HOT 96.9 Get Up Crew.
The Big Papi Interview: David Ortiz Talks Cannabis, Baseball, & More
After the interview, Papi and the crew were hanging outside the studio for photo ops. Sales whiz Dan Alperin asked me if I’d like to do an interview. My morning brain isn’t as sharp as my afternoon brain, so my first response was: “I can’t, I’m not on the air right now.” It took me a minute to realize: duh, you can record an interview and play it on your show later. Then share it here. Doofus.
So here’s my chat with Big Papi. As I told him to start the conversation, it’s an interview two decades in the making. I tried–and failed–to get an impromptu interview when he first came to Boston in 2003 and I was on WBCN. Listen to our chat; I’ll explain. And make sure you check out Papi Cannabis, the new premium cannabis by David Ortiz.