David Ortiz knows what it's like to defend a World Series title. After all, he did it three times with the Boston Red Sox in 2005, 2008 and 2014.
The Red Sox legend understands the unique challenges teams face when defending a championship, and he's not concerned about the 2019 squad despite its 2-5 start to the season.
"It's only seven games, you know? There's a 150-something left. The guys are going to come home and regroup, and do what we all know they're capable of," Ortiz told reporters Thursday at a school event in Dorchester, Mass. "I'm not worried, hopefully you ain't, either. It's just too early (to be worried). ... Last year, everything started out great. But after you win a championship, everybody wants a piece of you. Everybody wants to have you at their place. The guys have to get used to the new season, all the traveling and stuff, you know. Sometimes they're rushing to get home to organize everything. There's a lot of things that comes with winning a championship. I'm pretty sure that after they come home and settle, and organize everything -- let's hope they finish the road trip well. We won last night. It'll be fine."
The Red Sox began the season on the road in Seattle, where they played the first four of an 11-game road trip. The Sox will return to Fenway Park for their home opener next Tuesday, where they will raise another World Series banner and receive championship rings.
Those kinds of home openers provided Ortiz with many special memories.
Boston Red Sox
"It is crazier than what people think it is," Ortiz said. "When you win a championship, especially playing for the Red Sox, everybody wants a piece of you, like everybody. I'm pretty sure the guys are going through it still.
"One thing I can tell you guys, I was in camp (during spring training) a couple times, and those guys are hungrier than they were last year. I love it. They were acting like they've never won in 86 years. That was the vibe I felt when I went to camp. So I'm not worried about the guys, to be honest with you."
The Red Sox are 2-5 entering Thursday's series finale against the Athletics in Oakland. It's been a rough start so far, especially with regards to the starting pitching, but talent usually wins out, and Boston still has more of that than just about every team in baseball.
Click here to download the new MyTeams App by NBC Sports! Receive comprehensive coverage of your teams and stream the Celtics easily on your device.