Teddy Roosevelt once spoke at the State House, and he built the Panama Canal.

Dwight Eisenhower spoke there, too, and he led the invasion of Nazi-controlled Europe during World War II.

And now, add David Ortiz to that list of greatness. Hes single-handedly torn apart the Yankees over the past decade. Hes led the Red Sox to three World Series titles. Hes recorded more big hits than Elvis and the Beatles, probably combined.

And that carries at least as much weight around here as building a silly old canal.

Thank you for having me here, Ortiz said to his fans, who packed the State House Plaza in Concord to hear him promote a new Red Sox-connected lottery. I love New Hampshire, and I promise I will be back.

Ortiz didnt say much more. Only Wally the Green Monster, who showed up to shake his huge green butt and throw plastic baseballs to the crowd, had fewer words.

This is unusual for Ortiz, who has been outspoken his entire career. From steroids, to his contract, to dropping the F-bomb at Fenway after the marathon bombings, nothing is off limits to Big Papi.

With apologies to Gov. Maggie Hassan, Wally and Papi were the two most recognizable figures on those famous steps, Wally with his ginormous green head, Ortiz with his million-dollar smile.

Ortiz spoke for two minutes, saying nothing of substance, then brushed past the news media after someone inquired about the recent selfie he took with President Obama.

No one cared, though. Big Papi came here, to the State House, the stage for many celebrities through the decades, and thats all that mattered.

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Move over, Teddy; here comes Big Papi