Red Sox Icon David Ortiz Marvels at Size and Athleticism of Modern MLB Players

Ortiz jokes that some of today's towering, muscular athletes make him feel 'short' in comparison.

Feb. 27, 2026 at 12:18am

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Boston Red Sox legend David Ortiz recently reflected on how dramatically the physical profile of MLB players has evolved, praising the size, strength, and athleticism of the modern game. During a spring training appearance, Ortiz noted that there are far more towering, sculpted athletes dominating clubhouses across the league compared to his era, with the 19-year-old, 6-foot-7, 270-pound player he encountered even making the Hall of Famer feel 'short' when they hugged.

Why it matters

Ortiz's candid comments underscore the advancements in training, nutrition, and player development that have reshaped Major League Baseball over the past two decades. For Red Sox fans, hearing a Boston icon marvel at the next generation of players reinforces how the sport has evolved physically, with even legendary sluggers like Ortiz impressed by the imposing builds and explosive athleticism on display.

The details

During an interview on MLB Network Radio, Ortiz praised the size and athleticism of today's MLB players, noting that there are far more 'very well built' and 'tall' athletes compared to his era when 'you could count the tall guys on one hand.' Ortiz specifically recalled meeting a 19-year-old, 6-foot-7, 270-pound player in spring training, saying he 'thought I was hugging a refrigerator' when they greeted each other.

  • Ortiz made these comments during a spring training appearance in February 2026.

The players

David Ortiz

A Boston Red Sox legend, three-time World Series champion, seven-time Silver Slugger, and 2022 Hall of Fame inductee.

19-year-old player

A 6-foot-7, 270-pound MLB player that Ortiz encountered during spring training, whose imposing size and build made the Hall of Famer feel 'short' in comparison.

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What they’re saying

“These guys' bodies nowadays, it's very impressive. I mean, in our day, you could count the tall guys on one hand. It wasn't many tall guys, very well built. Nowadays, everybody's very well built. The athleticism you see from these guys now is very impressive.”

— David Ortiz, Hall of Famer (MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM)

“Hahaha, kinda, sometimes yes. We've got this kid right here, 19 years old, he's 6-foot-7, I think 270, nothing but muscle. I went to say hi to him — you know how we hug and everything — I thought I was hugging a refrigerator.”

— David Ortiz, Hall of Famer (MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM)

The takeaway

Ortiz's candid comments about the physical transformation of MLB players over the past two decades underscores the sport's evolution, with even legendary sluggers like Ortiz impressed by the imposing builds and explosive athleticism of the modern game. This shift reflects advancements in training, nutrition, and player development that have reshaped the sport, raising the bar for physical excellence.