Boston Red Sox legend David Ortiz says he's cleared after testing positive for COVID-19

Boston Red Sox legend David Ortiz joined the team's broadcast Friday night and delivered a revelation: he recently had COVID-19.  

"Big Papi," who mashed 541 home runs over a 20-year MLB career, said on the NESN broadcast during the fourth inning of the Red Sox's game against the rival New York Yankees that he was now negative, as of Thursday, for COVID-19. 

Ortiz said he was asymptomatic, but that his brother was hit hard by the novel coronavirus, losing around 25 pounds while spending about a week in the hospital.

"This is no joke," Ortiz, who was wearing a New England Patriots jersey adorned with No. 34, said. "You don't realize how crazy this is until it hits home. And I learned so much about this COVID-19 thing while I was going through the process. It's an experience to be honest with you." 

Ortiz was a central part of three World Series teams in his 14 years with the Red Sox, including the "Curse of the Bambino"-breaking 2004 squad. The team also won the Fall Classic in 2007 and 2013, the latter of which Ortiz was named World Series MVP. 

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The 10-time All-Star, now 44, retired following the 2016 season. In 2019, he was shot in his native Dominican Republic.