Ortiz: I'm too old to participate in Home Run Derby

Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz said Wednesday that he's decided against competing in his fifth and final Home Run Derby, citing a hectic All-Star schedule and tiring 40-year-old body.

"No. No, because I have so many things going on over there when I go," Ortiz told Rob Bradford of WEEI when asked whether he'll participate in this year's event in San Diego. "It's going to be crazy. The Home Run Derby wears you out. I would like to, but I've got so many things lined up. It's too much."

Ortiz hasn't appeared in the Derby since he won the event in 2010, but if there was ever a year that made sense to return, this was it. The nine-time All-Star is in the midst of one of the finest seasons of his career, with a major-league leading 31 doubles, .433 OBP, .678 slugging, and 1.112 OPS through his first 71 games. It turns out he'd like to save some of that production for the second half.

"It's good for the younger guys to do it," said Ortiz, who remains on track to start the All-Star Game with nearly 3.5 million votes. "It puts you on the map for a minute. Energy is a big part of it. When was the last time you saw a guy my age do it? It takes everything out of you, because you don't take any cheap swings. Everything has to be powerful. You definitely have to be in your 20s to do it."

Ortiz, who's been battling a heel injury this season, had already hinted that his farewell season was taking its toll after expressing regret over announcing his impending retirement before the season began. He said he barely has "time to do anything" because of all the attention he's received and the scheduling commitments that come with it.