Ortiz gets scoring change, apologizes for incident

Jun 17, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz (34) hits a single during the sixth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Multiple sources are reporting tonight that David Ortiz has been awarded a hit in the controversial play on June 18 at Fenway in which an error was originally charged to the Twins’ Joe Mauer. The scorer, Bob Ellis, changed his call prior to the MLB review process playing out. Ortiz’ actions had brought a scolding from MLB Vice President of Baseball Operations Joe Torre on Friday for implying that scorers should be more favorable to the hometown team.

After the play in question, in which Red Sox announcer Jerry Remy speculated Ortiz would be awarded a hit, Ortiz demonstratively motioned at the press box, giving a thumbs down when the play was scored an error. Ortiz clearly was yelling at the press box about the scoring decision. After the game Ortiz continued his rant about the scoring decision, which became the focus of press coverage despite Ortiz’ game tying home run in the bottom of the 10th.

In addition to official scorer Ellis, Ortiz also apologized to Joe Torre and Major League Baseball for letting the situation get out of hand.

‘€œMLB is what we are. Joe Torre and everybody, the scorekeeper and everybody, I feel like I owe them an apology because of the way things come up. It shouldn’€™t be like that. On the other hand, hopefully things get better, ’€Ortiz stated.

So, Papi apologizes but seems to hope he won’t have to make future statements for which he has to apologize. Perhaps this gave Papi some good karma because he singled home a run in tonight’s first inning against King Felix.