Ortiz Loses Cool and Some “Respect”
It was one of those moments captured on film that will be played over and over when Major League Baseball wants to say something cute about players going “batty”. They’ll set it to music and everyone will have a laugh. They’ll use phrases like “David Ortiz gave new meaning to the phrase ‘slammed down the phone’ ” or “Ortiz made sure he wasn’t going to get rung up again.”
Jul 27, 2013; Baltimore, MD, USA; Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz (34) is restrained by manager John Farrell (53) and bench coach Torey Lovullo (17) after being ejected in the seventh inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Red Sox defeated the Orioles 7-3. Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports
Quite simply, Big Papi completely lost his cool and endangered teammates last night in Baltimore when he went on a tirade in Boston’s dugout after being called out on strikes by home plater umpire Tim Timmons. Timmons had been blowing a few calls for both teams during the night, setting the stage for a number of testy at bats but nothing like what fans witnessed at Camden Yards.
In this video Ortiz clearly endangers teammates Jose Iglesias and Dustin Pedroia after being ejected by Timmons. “I didn’t hit anybody,” Ortiz said. “I know what I was swinging at. I’ve got good eyes, bro.’’ Personally, I don’t think you want to leave the randomness of shards of a baseball bat and a phone to chance.
After Ortiz killed the phone casing he pushed his way onto the field and was intercepted by manager John Farrell and bench coach Torey Lovullo as Ortiz continued to bark at Timmons.
I love David Ortiz. I love what he is to the city of Boston and the Red Sox organization. He crossed the line last night when he put his teammates at risk. Yes, he has good eyes. He doesn’t, however, have eyes in the back of his head nor does he know how teammates will react who can’t see what’s happening and only hear the noise.
Papi was quoted on www.masslive.com: “All I’ve got to tell you is I’ve got 17 years in the league, and I don’t think I deserve to be disrespected like that,” Ortiz said after a 7-3 Sox win over Baltimore. “If you want to get respect from the players, you respect the players. That was horrible. Both of the pitches, not one. These people been semi-intentionally walking me all night, I don’t mind going to first base so what was the reason you’ve got to call pitches like that a strike?’’
I suspect Ortiz’ overreaction to two bum calls will result is a small measure of disrespect from fans. It certainly had that affect on me.