Today in Boston, Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz had a bit of a meltdown when asked some probing questions by the Boston media. The slugger, fresh off of a Grand Slam in last night’s 15-5 bashing of the Miami Marlins, is displeased with the way the Red Sox have been portrayed by journalists and talk show radio hosts over the last few months. When asked if he was having fun, Ortiz responded with “Not really. Too much shit, man. Too much shit.” He also went as far as saying “This place is becoming the shit hole that it used to be.”
Ortiz has an argument. The media has been so caught up in last September, that they have over-analyzed every story even more so than usual. What probably really upset Ortiz is Buster Olney’s report of a “toxic” Red Sox clubhouse last week. The players have been stout in their defense of the club’s chemistry, calling the report “Ridiculous” and “stupid”. Ortiz is a team leader, he’s doing what he’s supposed to do. He’s speaking up, defending his teammates. The club has gotten going over this last four game win streak, finally creeping out of the cellar in the AL East. He might not win over too many friends in the media with his most recent outburst, but one thing is for certain: Big Papi is establishing himself as the leader of that baseball team.It’s not Dustin Pedroia, it’s David Ortiz.
One thing that Ortiz got wrong is this, the Boston media is NOT the source of this problem. It’s the national media. The Olney’s and Rosenthal’s of the world. That’s where the reports of a “toxic” clubhouse and chicken & beer are coming from, not from the Globe, The Herald, or the Worcester telegram. He has the right idea, he’s just taking it out on the wrong people.
