Imagine tuning into The Masked Singer and seeing a towering, furry red monster belting out a tune—only to discover it’s none other than baseball legend David Ortiz, aka Big Papi! Yes, you read that right. The Hall of Famer and Red Sox icon made a surprising appearance on the season premiere of FOX’s hit show, and let’s just say it was a home run for entertainment—even if it meant his elimination. Here’s how it all went down: Ortiz took the stage as the Googly Eyed Monster, performing DJ Snake and Lil’ John’s Turn Down for What with, well, let’s call it enthusiasm. Unfortunately, the audience wasn’t as fired up, and he received the fewest votes, leading to his unmasking. But here’s where it gets controversial: Was this a missed opportunity for him to dress as the Green Monster, Boston’s iconic Fenway Park mascot? Or was the red costume a clever nod to his Red Sox legacy? You decide.
Before the big reveal, the judges were stumped—though most guessed a baseball player was behind the mask. Jenny McCarthy threw out Derek Jeter’s name, but the real surprise? It was Jeter’s former rival-turned-FOX Sports co-host, Ortiz himself. The 6-foot-3 slugger emerged from the largest costume in the show’s history, according to host Nick Cannon, even topping NBA stars like the 6-foot-10 Dwight Howard. And this is the part most people miss: Ortiz admitted performing in that bulky suit was a straight-up workout. “I don’t need to go to the gym for about a month,” he joked afterward. Fair point—have you ever tried dancing in a furry monster costume?
Now, let’s rewind for a second. Maybe we should’ve seen this coming. Remember when Big Papi broke out his bass voice to sing O Canada for Blue Jays pitcher Trey Yesavage during a postgame interview? Clearly, the man’s got range. But at least as the Googly Eyed Monster, he remembered the lyrics—a small victory, right?
Here’s the burning question: Was Big Papi’s performance a bold move or a swing and a miss? And more importantly, should athletes stick to their day jobs or embrace their hidden talents? Let us know in the comments—we’re all ears!
