David Ortiz made some young fans' dreams come true during the 2018 All-Star festivities

Technically, David Ortiz is retired from the Major Leagues. But when you're putting it into the context of a still-young 42-year-old man, being retired at this age doesn't have quite the same meaning. Ortiz is retired only in the sense that he no longer plays in the big leagues -- but he's on the go, as he just showed during a whirlwind week in Washington, D.C., at the 2018 All-Star Game.
Ortiz was everywhere, and given that it's Big Papi we're talking about -- as affable and fun-loving as ever -- this was a very good thing. He managed the World Team during the Futures Game, and the next day was mingling with a slew of fans, ranging from the very young to the young at heart, as the star of a promotional appearance at PLAY BALL Park on behalf of Kingsford charcoal.

Through searing heat -- Monday was the hottest day of the year so far in D.C. at a balmy 96 -- Ortiz mugged for the cameras, posed with fans and feigned incredulousness upon hearing about the loyalties of one particular little guy.
Five-year-old Moody Hasan wore a Cubs hat and was introduced to Ortiz as both a Red Sox fan AND Yankees fan. Upon hearing this news, Ortiz processed this information in the only way he could -- he picked up Hasan and bounced him around a bit before posing for a picture.
Ortiz met dozens of fans that day, mostly kids, and granted every last request for a selfie.
"There's a lot of dreams that come true at the All-Star Game," Ortiz said. "As a player I always wanted to take my time with the fans, stop and take pictures with them. There's a lot of people who take vacations from work to come spend a couple days with us [at the All-Star Game]. You want to make sure they go home happy."