Ortiz said he doesn’t listen to the media in their discussions on whether he’s finished as a hitter. He channels Hanley Ramirez by saying he doesn’t think people who haven’t played the game have a right to give their opinion on it.
“You’ve got guys sitting down out there that have never played the game ever before, talking about how they think I’m supposed to leave, that you are done, that you can’t hit any more, that you can do this or you can do that,” Ortiz grumbled. “I’m right here, working hard, doing my thing. I’m not paying attention to any of their crap anymore.”
Speaking on The Dennis and Callahan Show on Friday morning, Red Sox president Larry Lucchino didn’t blame Ortiz for his thoughts.
“I think that there is a question of balance, a question of emphasis, that David had a right to raise being human like the rest of us,” Lucchino said about Ortiz’s frustration that the media keyed in on his struggles instead of the team as a whole.
“I’m so glad that’s in our rearview mirror now,” Lucchino added.
Ortiz was quick to mention that he doesn’t feel the same way about the fans, but did admit to being angry with manager Terry Francona for lifting him for a pinch-hitter in Toronto.
“I was mad. I was mad. I was totally, absolutely mad,” Ortiz said. “You know that if you ride with me, you’re going to get two things. Either you’re going to win or you’re going to die with me. That’s the way it is. That’s the way it’s been as long as I’ve been here.”
He wouldn’t come out and say that he feels Francona doesn’t believe in him, but he did say that, “You have to believe in your players. Period. You chose to have me on your roster since day one. You’ve got to ride with me.”
To Ortiz’s credit, he said he has turned the page already and moved on.
Now the Red Sox can turn their focus to moving up the standings.
