David Ortiz Has Strong Message For People Criticizing Hitters For Bat Flips

There are real issues in this world, yet some people still can’t get over Toronto Blue Jays slugger Jose Bautista flipping his bat after a home run or Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton’s touchdown celebrations.

Sigh.

These sports issues never really seem to go away, but Hall of Famer Goose Gossage recently took things to a whole new level with his comments about Bautista, who had a bat flip for the ages during Game 5 of last year’s American League Division Series. Gossage wasn’t done there, though, as the former New York Yankees reliever took down Newton just a few days later.

Goosage’s views aren’t universal, though, as David Ortiz, who has been known to flip a bat or two when celebrating a home run, has a considerably different opinion.

“Whenever somebody criticizes a power hitter for what we do after we hit a home run, I consider that person someone who is not able to hit a homer ever in his life,” the Boston Red Sox designated hitter told The Boston Globe’s Alex Speier in Sunday’s newspaper. “Look at who criticizes the power hitters in the game and what we do. It’s either a pitcher or somebody that never played the game. … And if you don’t know anything about it, (shut up). (Shut up). Seriously. If you don’t know anything about it, (shut up), because that is another level.”

Ortiz added: “When a power hitter does a bat flip, you don’t hurt nobody. If I hit a homer, did a bat flip, threw it in the stands and break a couple of people’s heads, I understand. But that’s not what it is. When you see a pitcher do a fist pump when they strike out any one of us, or jumping on the mound, I don’t see anybody talking about that. Nobody’s talking about that. Act the same way when we do a bat flip.”

Maybe that will be part of Gossage’s next rant?

See all of what Ortiz had to say to the Globe here >>

Thumbnail photo via Winslow Townson/USA TODAY Sports Images