BOSTON — Red Sox fans haven’t had much to cheer about this season, as the team has had a disappointing year following their World Series victory last season, but that changed Monday night.

David Ortiz threw out the first pitch to Jason Varitek before the final game of the series against the Yankees at Fenway Park and the crowd erupted.

It was Ortiz’s first public appearance since he was shot in the Dominican Republic on June 9.

Ortiz briefly addressed the crowd from the field and thanked fans for their support since the incident.

“First of all, I want to thank God for giving me a second opportunity in my life to be able to be here with all of you,’’ Ortiz said. “I want to thank the Red Sox, my real family. They have always been there for me and supported me. With what happened to me, they were always there.”

He also pointed out several Yankees who have been supportive.

“I want to thank the Yankees,’’ Ortiz said. “A lot of my boys over there came to check on Big Papi. I appreciate it: CC [Sabathia], [Edwin] Encarnacion. All y’all, man.’’

Encarnacion and Gary Sanchez visited Ortiz at his Boston area home on the Yankees’ off day Thursday.

“It was really nice to see him and see him healthy,’’ Sanchez said through an interpreter on Friday.

Ortiz is expected to make a full recovery following three surgeries after the shooting. He was released from Massachusetts General Hospital on July 29.