Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz became the first player to publicly applaud the Red Sox hiring of John Farrell as their new manager on Sunday.
Ortiz, in an interview with The Boston Globe’s Peter Abraham, recognized the importance of hiring a manager that the players feel comfortable with, and someone who immediately gains the players respect.
“I’m pretty sure he’ll walk in and handle his business,” Ortiz said. “He’ll be in a
situation where he doesn’t have to come in and learn the program. He can
just do his thing.”
Other than the obvious praise for the former Sox pitching coach, Ortiz also alluded to himself as a member of next year’s team. The 36-year-old is once again a free agent, after his one-year deal with Boston expired following the 2012 season. In 90 games, Ortiz hit 23 home runs and drove in 60 RBIs. He also hit a career high .318 in his 10th season with the team. Ortiz is confident that he’ll be back with the Red Sox next season.
“Something will get done,” he said. “I feel good about it.”
His season was cut short after a barrage of injuries, the latest being an Achilles problem that sidelined him for the remainder of the season. Big Papi also relayed to Abraham that his ankle was feeling much better.
With a manager in place and a roster to take shape, there remains plenty of work to be done before Opening Day in 2013. But, at the very least, the man at the helm has been identified, and a player who has been with Boston for over a decade approves of the hiring.
