Red Sox slugger records wake-up calls for Boston students

Boston (AP) – Nothing like a pre-dawn phone call from Red Sox slugger David Ortiz to get you out of bed. At least that’s the idea behind a Boston Public Schools initiative that starts next month. Middle- and high-school students will be able to sign up for wake-up calls from Big Papi. The recorded calls will say: “Wake up! It’s David Ortiz of the Boston Red Sox. Get out of bed and get ready for school. Your future is yours.” Boston schools superintendent Tommy Chang says the goal is to help kids get to school on time and fight absenteeism. Red Sox president Sam Kennedy says he hopes the calls will help “inspire, motivate and encourage” children to attend school. Chang’s office says it may tap the Patriots as well.