Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez wants to give David Ortiz a parting gift as the Boston Red Sox slugger prepared for his final All-Star Game on Tuesday night.
"I would love to face David," Fernandez told ESPN's Marly Rivera on Monday. "It would be a dream come true for me.
"I told him yesterday that I am going to throw him three fastballs down the middle. I want to watch him hit a home run."
It didn't happen. Facing Ortiz in the third inning, Fernandez walked him on a full count.
Ortiz is making his 10th appearance in the All-Star Game, and he was selected to the starting lineup for the seventh time -- and first since 2013. At age 40, he currently leads baseball in slugging percentage, OPS and extra-base hits.
When asked if he'd be bringing his usual 98 mph heat, Fernandez said he'd take a little off his pitches to achieve the goal.
"No -- 90 miles per hour," Fernandez said. "So there is no chance that he fouls them or misses them."
The winning side in the game secures home-field advantage in the World Series.
ESPN Staff Writer Marly Rivera contributed to this report.