Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz is apparently so popular in the city that some residents think he should be mayor.

Ortiz, fresh off his third World Series championship with the team, received several write-in votes in Tuesday's election.

But contrary to initial reports, Ortiz did not finish third in the balloting.

City elections officials say 560 write-in votes were cast altogether, but they don't count those not cast for declared write-in candidates. Therefore, the exact number of votes the World Series MVP received is unclear.

State Rep. Marty Walsh got almost 52 per cent of the vote to beat City Councilor John Connolly in the contest to replace Thomas Menino, the city's longest-serving mayor, who decided not to seek re-election.