Shaken Purple Sox ship finest needs to David Ortiz
The Boston Purple Sox are sending their finest needs to David Ortiz, a former participant whom workforce president and CEO Sam Kennedy referred to as one of the crucial vital and beloved within the workforce’s storied historical past.
The Purple Sox despatched a aircraft to the Dominican Republic on Monday to move Ortiz, who was shot Sunday, to Boston for additional medical therapy, Ortiz’s media assistant, Leo Lopez, informed ESPN’s Enrique Rojas.
“I really like David Ortiz; all of us love David Ortiz. So telling my children final night time what had occurred was actually troublesome. And I do know the identical holds true for everybody up right here, for possession,” Kennedy stated at a information convention Monday. “It is laborious to precise what David Ortiz means to the Boston Purple Sox.”
Ortiz, 43, was shot at a membership in Santo Domingo. A workforce of surgeons operated on Ortiz for six hours and eliminated a part of his intestines and colon, in addition to his gallbladder. Ortiz additionally suffered liver harm.
“I simply hope that when he will get right here, every thing is okay, and we are able to see the massive man once more with us, and filling our room with pleasure,” Purple Sox supervisor Alex Cora stated. “It is one thing that you do not count on. …there’s extra vital issues than the Purple Sox, profitable or dropping, pitching modifications, this and that. It is life.”
Corridor of Fame pitcher Pedro Martinez, an in depth good friend of Ortiz and a fellow Dominican, was among the many first of many to supply prayers for the legendary slugger.
I am at peace realizing you out of hazard; you a robust man Compai, cannot wait to listen to your voice. My ideas and prayers are with you, see you quickly.
Me siento tranquilo de saber que estás fuera de peligro, usted es fuerte Compai, ya quiero oírle la voz. Orando, nos vemos pronto pic.twitter.com/jdSnNsM7eI
— Pedro Martinez (@45PedroMartinez) June 10, 2019
Purple Sox starter David Worth performed with Ortiz throughout his final season and stated the Boston icon embraced him with open arms.
“I did not need it to be something about me and him; I needed it to be all about him. And he did not need it to be all about him; he needed it to be about us as a workforce. So — I’ve obtained nothing however love and respect for Large Papi, and he is properly conscious of that,” Worth stated.
Mookie Betts echoed that sentiment Monday, saying Ortiz made him really feel welcome and at dwelling throughout his rookie yr.
“I can not communicate for different individuals, however for me, he is like a giant brother and a dad on the similar time,” Betts stated.
The outpouring of help for Ortiz prolonged far past his former teammates on Monday. President Barack Obama and New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady have been amongst those that despatched get-well needs.
Six years in the past, David Ortiz’s spirit and resolve helped us all start to heal from the Boston Marathon bombing. Right now, I need to be a part of many others in wishing him a speedy restoration of his personal. Get properly quickly, Papi. pic.twitter.com/9orpBgnVI5
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) June 10, 2019
Papi defines Boston Sturdy… get properly quickly my good friend!!! pic.twitter.com/QFFJ4nvQnU
— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) June 10, 2019
The Purple Sox are anticipated to honor the All-Star and World Sequence MVP earlier than Monday night time’s recreation towards the Texas Rangers.
The Related Press contributed to this report.