Boston Red Sox Slugger David Ortiz Opens Up On Valentine

David Ortiz is staying with the Red Sox and that’s great news. He is the Old Man River of the club as he winds and way through all sorts of mishaps, disasters and bizarre situations to be the steady, supportive team player. That’s Big Papi—kind, generous, a great sense of humor and a fine ballplayer. He’s the guy in the clubhouse who keeps things light and brings people together and he’s the guy on the field who can change a game with the swing of a bat.

Diplomatic But Also Honest

Ortiz tends to be very diplomatic. He took the high road this past year during the whole Bobby Valentine fiasco. He even held team meetings to garner some support for the guy. When asked about Valentine he’s been very diplomatic.

But in an interview with ESPNDeportes.com, he offered some honest insights into his relationship with former manager Bobby Valentine. He recently detailed the incident that led Valentine to say that after the big Red Sox trade with the Dodgers that Ortiz “didn’t want to play anymore.”

What Happened?

Ortiz had been on the DL for a painful Achilles problem and when he returned he said that he told Valentine, “I was not sure what percentage health-wise I was in, but that I could not be out there without trying to help. When I told him that, I put my career on the side to help him and the team. Being in an incredible amount of pain, I went out there to support them.”

When Ortiz decided he could not play anymore, Valentine said in an interview on national television that because of the big trade with the Dodgers, Big Papi had made the decision “not to play” for the rest of the season.

Ortiz noted, “…after he went on national TV to say what he said, he sent me a text message trying to tell me that it was the media trying to change things.” The Boston slugger added, “I did not respond to the message and I said to myself, this guy must have some mental issues or needs medicine or something? I said, I am dealing with someone crazy and I am not going to drive myself crazy, so it is better if I leave it alone.”

The Golden Rule

Ortiz lives by the Golden Rule, which states, “Treat others as you would like to be treated.” He demands respect because he gives respect. He’s a regular a guy, a mensch, a part of Red Sox Nation. He could be the poster child for Red Sox Nation!

Good things started to happen when he came to the Red Sox and if there’s one guy I want to be a part of this team who has done yeoman’s work in the past it is Big Papi. That guy just keeps rolling along.