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20 gift ideas for Ortiz's farewell tour

Kim Klement / USA TODAY Sports

David Ortiz is set for the final Opening Day of his career Tuesday when the Boston Red Sox slugger steps into the batter's box at Progressive Field to face Cleveland Indians starter Corey Kluber.

With retirement now roughly seven months away, reflections on his 20-year career have begun, and the gifts are starting to roll in. The personalized golf cart and ovations in both Fort Myers and Montreal were only the beginning.

In honor of Ortiz's farewell tour - which includes 18 road trips, Boston hosting Colorado in a 2007 World Series rematch, and of course the final game he'll ever play at Fenway - here are the 20 gifts Big Papi should receive this season:

Cleveland: April 7

Gold Records: Given the Rock and Roll HOF's proximity, Cleveland should celebrate Ortiz's greatest hits with three gold records representing his 500th career home run, his Red Sox single-season record-setting 54th home run, and his first homer against the Indians.

Houston: April 24

NASA Trip: Houston, being the Space City, should send Ortiz to the Johnson Space Center. The ability to use one of their telescopes might help him locate some of the moonshots he's launched over the years.

Atlanta: April 26

Masters Tickets: The Braves can help Ortiz celebrate his first April off with VIP tickets to the 2017 Masters. They can even present the gift with the help of Atlanta native and SNL comedian Kenan Thompson, who's impersonated Ortiz on a number of occasions.

Chicago White Sox: May 5

Presidential Photo: Few players have embraced the selfie quite like Ortiz, so gifting the slugger a personalized bat-shaped selfie stick seems appropriate. A painting of the iconic selfie Ortiz took with U.S. President and noted White Sox fan Barack Obama would also be fitting.

Kansas City: May 18

Personalized BBQ: Kansas City is renowned for its BBQ food, and Big Papi has likely put away his fair share of ribs while visiting. To commemorate his 300th career homer off Royals reliever Luke Hochevar, a personalized BBQ with "No. 300" emblazoned on it would be most appropriate.

Colorado: May 26

Rocky Mountain Trip: Ortiz didn't get to enjoy much time in Colorado when the Red Sox swept the Rockies in the 2007 World Series, and what better way to relive his second championship than in the high altitude of Denver.

San Francisco: June 8

Signed Lineup Card: The Giants have only faced Ortiz 10 times in his career, but the slugger did enjoy a special moment at AT&T Park. Ortiz started at first base for the 2007 All-Star Game, hitting between Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez.

Minnesota: June 12

Framed Jersey: Ortiz broke into the majors with the Twins, but his release, which led to his eventual signing in Boston, may already have been the best gift Minnesota can give. To pay their respects, the Twins should give Ortiz a framed jersey from his MLB debut.

Texas: June 26

Golden Bat: The first home run of Ortiz's career came at the Ballpark in Arlington in 1997 - a two-run shot to right field off Julio Santana. The Rangers should commemorate the moment with an inscribed golden bat, handed out by Santana himself.

Los Angeles Angels: July 31

King's Crown: Angel Stadium has been kind to Ortiz. He belted his first home run as a member of the Red Sox and won the 2010 Home Run Derby there.

Seattle: Aug. 1

Framed First Base: Though he'll long be remembered as the greatest DH of all time, Ortiz did man first base over 270 times in his career. His first appearance came Sept. 6, 1997 against the Mariners.

Los Angeles Dodgers: Aug. 7

Surfboard: Ortiz will receive many symbolic gifts on his farewell tour, but he doesn't have much history with the Dodgers, who would be best served by giving the big man a recreational present in Red Sox-inspired colors. Ortiz will likely spend no shortage of time on the beach following his playing days.

Detroit: Aug. 21

Framed Scorecard: Ortiz had one of the best games of his major-league career last July against the Tigers. He belted a pair of three-run homers and finished the day with a career-high seven RBIs.

Oakland: Sept. 4

Wine: Since the Athletics gave both Jeter and Mariano Rivera a commemorative bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon Blanc from Groth Vineyards, it would almost be rude not to do the same for Ortiz.

San Diego: Sept. 7

Framed Photo: One of San Diego's largest economic sectors is the military, and while Ortiz hails from the Dominican Republic, his expletive-laden speech following the Boston bombings demonstrated his pride in his adopted home. The Padres should give Ortiz a framed photo from Ortiz's speech at Fenway Park in front of the Green Monster with the U.S. flag draped over it.

Toronto: Sept. 11

Home Plate: While Boston is Ortiz's bleeping city, he's looked right at home in Toronto. Ortiz has homered more at Rogers Centre than at any other park on the road, so taking home plate home with him would be appropriate. Fellow Dominican and potential heir to his throne Jose Bautista should present it to him.

Baltimore: Sept. 21

Bronze Phone: The Orioles gave Rivera a bronzed broken bat in honor of all the lumber he shattered. Baltimore should similarly commemorate Ortiz's final game at Camden Yards with a bronze sculpture of the phone he destroyed in the dugout with a bat in 2013.

Tampa Bay: Sept. 25

Stadium Seats: One of the biggest hits of Ortiz's career came at Tropicana Field when he took Matt Moore deep last season for his 500th career homer. In honor of that, the Rays should gift Ortiz the seat in right field where his blast would have landed and a gold-covered ball with the achievement engraved.

New York Yankees: Sept. 29

Gift Basket: The Red Sox took care of Jeter and Rivera, and now it's time for the Yankees to take care of Ortiz. A pregame ceremony, a No. 34 chair from old Yankee Stadium, and dirt from the 2004 ALCS should be capped off with the Bronx standing ovation he's long desired.

Boston: Oct. 2

Postseason Baseball: The Red Sox are suffering a monumental loss. A street name, statue, and retiring No. 34 still aren't enough to thank Ortiz for bringing three championships to the city. A fourth title would be the ultimate goodbye present.

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