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Ortiz will need wife's permission to compete in WBC

Boston Globe / Getty

David Ortiz's major-league career is set to conclude at the end of this season, but the Boston Red Sox slugger hasn't ruled out playing one last time internationally.

He just needs to get the go-ahead from the head of the Ortiz household first.

"My wife will kill me," Ortiz told reporters when asked if he will play in the 2017 World Baseball Classic. "We'll see, we'll see how that goes, but I gotta ask for permission at home first, you know that."

Japan won the WBC in both 2006 and 2009, with Ortiz representing the Dominican Republic each time. However, he did not play in 2013, when the country won it all. The 40-year-old acknowledged that in order to be successful at the tournament, you need to begin your preparation earlier than usual - something that might conflict with his retirement as the 2017 WBC begins in March.

"I realized that Japan and Cuba were the ones always going to the final because they played through the winter," Ortiz said of the 2006 and 2009 tournaments. "That tells you, for you to be good in March you gotta be playing during the winter."

Ortiz reaffirmed once again that he fully intends to retire despite putting up top offensive numbers. For options during his post-playing days, he's left his options open, though managing appears to be one aspect he's steering clear of.

"I don't really think I can be a good manager because I see that everybody, a year later after they start managing, their hair starts turning grey," Ortiz said.

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