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Big Papi 'worn out' from long farewell tour

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports / Reuters

BOSTON - In what's become a regular scene, David Ortiz stepped into the dugout, preparing for batting practice, when a team staff member asked if he was ready.

Not far away, a group of fans waited to be brought in, eager to chat briefly with the 40-year-old Ortiz, take a photo and wish him well.

In Big Papi's final season, everyone who comes to Fenway Park wants their chance to say goodbye - and it's taking a toll on Boston's larger-than-life designated hitter.

"Very busy. Kind of tired of it, a little worn out," the Red Sox star told The Associated Press before a nationally televised game against the Kansas City Royals on Sunday night.

Nearing the last month of his 20th regular season, Ortiz at times wishes he didn't pronounce this his final year. The baseball season is long and hard enough, and this goodbye grind is more than he anticipated.

"My job is kind of tiring," he said. "Adding more things to it is a lot. ... I'm really busy and not getting to enjoy things."

Of course, no one would know that by the way he's hitting.

Entering Sunday, Ortiz is batting .319/.408/.629 and leading the Red Sox with 30 homers and 100 RBIs. He's reached 30/100 for a club-record 10th time - Hall of Famer Ted Williams is next on the list with seven.

His season has been so good, many players around the majors have said the slugger should come back for a 21st year.

Ortiz laughs at those comments.

"That's great, man,'' he said. ''I have a great relationship with them. Being older, I've kind of been like a mentor to them. I know they really appreciate everything, all the talk and all the stuff that we ask a veteran to do with them. I guess when you have somebody that is good with you - that does good things with you - you definitely want to have them around."

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