The Boston Red Sox created countless memorable moments during David Ortiz’s legendary career, but a recently resurfaced story involving longtime umpire Joe West may be among the funniest tales ever shared about the Hall of Fame slugger.

ESPN’s Jeff Passan posted the clip on Tuesday on X, formerly Twitter, featuring West, who retired in 2021, recounting an interaction that began during Ortiz’s early years with the Minnesota Twins and eventually led to a perfectly timed punchline nearly two decades later.

“David Ortiz waited for almost two decades to exact revenge on Joe West for calling him ugly.”

According to West, the exchange started during spring training after Ortiz completed an infield warmup. What began as a friendly remark quickly turned into a joke Ortiz clearly never forgot.

“When he finishes throwing the ball around the infielders, he came back toward me, and I said, ‘You know, I hope you play in this league a long time.’ And he said, ‘Well, thank you. Thank you very much.’ And I said, ‘As long as you’re in this league, I won’t be the ugliest guy in it.’ I don’t think he spoke to me for 13 years.”

West later explained that Ortiz finally responded during his retirement season in 2016 while stepping into the batter’s box before an at-bat.

“And then he announces his retirement. He came to bat in May that year that he announced his retirement. He says, ‘I have something to tell you.’ I said, ‘I don’t want to hear it. Get in the box. You take too long to play.’”

Ortiz remained determined to finish the conversation.

“He says, ‘No, just let me tell you one thing.’ I said, ‘All right, tell me one thing, then get in the box.’ He said, ‘You know, I retired.’ ‘I don’t care if you retire. Get in the box.’ He said, ‘Just one—’ ‘All right, hurry up. Tell me what you got to tell me.’ He said, ‘Next year you’ll be the ugliest guy in the league.’”

The exchange captured the humor of the Red Sox legend, adding another memory to his legacy.