Red Sox star David Ortiz to retire after 2016 season

David Ortiz turned 40 on Wednesday but he doesn’t seem to be going through a midlife crisis -- the Boston Red Sox superstar designated hitter sounds like he knows exactly what he’s doing with his life.

And that’s retiring from baseball, after his 20th major league season in 2016. Big Papi chose to make the announcement on his birthday via a black-and-white video posted on the Players’ Tribune.

“I thought a lot about it and for every single one of us, athlete-wise, we run out of time at some point,” he said. “Life is based on different chapters, and I think I am ready to experience the next one in my life.”

After spending the first six years of his career in Minnesota, Ortiz became a star in Boston, mainly as a designated hitter. He played on all three of the Red Sox’s World Series champion teams this century, claiming MVP honors after batting .688 against the St. Louis Cardinals in the 2013 World Series.

He has 503 home runs, including the most ever by someone in the lineup as DH (447). His 445 with the Red Sox ranks him third in team history, behind Ted Williams (521) and Carl Yastrzemski (452).

Beloved by the fans in Boston, Ortiz spoke out on his city’s behalf following the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings. Before the team’s first game back after the attack, Ortiz told the crowd at Fenway Park: “This is our ... city. And nobody’s going to dictate our freedom.”

“I’m really proud of what I have accomplished through the years,” Ortiz said in his video. “I’m very thankful for having fans like you guys, who have supported me through my career. I wish I could play another 40 years -- I’ll have you guys behind me -- but it doesn’t work that way.”