It’s always harrowing when it happens no matter your political affiliation.
Unfortunately, we have a mental health crisis in the United States of American because there are sick deranged people out there who are willing to sacrifice their life and/or freedom in order to orchestrate a mass shooting, which causes the liberal pitchfork mob to overact about the Second Amendment.
And it happened again recently when one of baseball’s biggest retired stars was shot in the back, but thankfully is in stable condition.
David Ortiz, aka “Big Papi,” is a Boston Red Sox legend.
The Dominican-American was a designated hitter and first baseman for the Red Sox (and a short stint with the Minnesota Twins) who played 20 seasons. Ortiz was a ten-time All Star, a three-time World Series champion and a seven-time Silver Slugger winner. Big Papi also holds the single-season home run record for the Red Sox with 54 before eventually retiring in 2016.
The 43-year-old was also one of the most beloved personalities in all of baseball because it’s not hard to see him as a big teddy bear.
Big Papi was shot recently, but no it wasn’t in the United States where he also lives in Boston, Massachussetts. It was in his home country of the Dominican Republic at the Santo Domingo Este, a municipality and the provincial capital of the Santo Domingo province.
At approximately 8:50 pm local time while dining at the Dial Bar and Lounge, Ortiz was ambushed by a man who suddenly got off a motorcycle and shot him in the back. It was initially reported the alleged man was part of a botched robbery and he got in the way.
But after a viral video of the incident hit Twitter, it became quite clear it was a hit job, specifically targeting the three-time World Series Champ. Security camera footage shows the gunman coming up behind Ortiz and opening fire at close range. The footage shows people scattering after gunfire erupted and Ortiz, who had been sitting at the outdoor bar, appear to grab his side and then collapse. Police are also searching for a second suspect.
According to Ortiz’s spokesperson, Ortiz underwent a six-hour operation performed by three local physicians at the Abel Gonzalez Clinic. During the surgery, a portion of his intestines and colon, as well as his gallbladder, were removed; liver damage was also reported. Jhoel López, a Dominican TV host who was with Ortiz, was also wounded in the leg during the shooting.
On the morning of June 10th, the Boston Red Sox sent their private plane to retrieve Ortiz and fly him to Boston for a second surgery he needed.
Ortiz’s wife, Tiffany, said in a statement, “David arrived at Massachusetts General Hospital last night and underwent a successful second surgery. He is stable, awake, and resting comfortably this morning in the ICU where he is expected to remain for the next several days.”
She then gratefully thanked Red Sox owner John Henry, the entire organization and Dr. Larry Ronan at Massachusetts General for caring for Ortiz.
She concluded, “Lastly, I want to thank everyone for the outpouring of support and love that we have received during this incredible difficult time. We ask for privacy as David works towards recovery.”
The good news is that Big Papi is in stable condition at the time this article was written, which is always a good sign.
Boston truly loves the man who gave the city three world titles and is often hailed as a hero.
Hall of Fame pitcher Pedro Martinez and former teammate of Ortiz said on the MLB Network, “I don’t have enough words to describe who David is, what David means to baseball. But I’m so disappointed to know that someone like David, who saved so many lives, can have someone after his life. And I’m sorry. I’m sorry. But it hurts me. It hurts me. I just can’t take it. I’m here sitting with you guys and I’m trying to have fun, but my heart is with David, with his family, with everybody that cares about David. Because just one coward out there that wanted to do that to someone that didn’t deserve it.”
The Red Sox are also the reigning World Series Champs and just visited the White House.