David Ortiz absolutely blasted David Price after the Boston Red Sox beat the Tampa Bay Rays 3-2 in 10 innings on Friday night, saying he has no more respect for the southpaw pitcher.
The issues between the two men go back to last postseason after Ortiz hit two home runs off Price in Game 2 of the ALCS. Price was agitated after taking the L in a 7-4 defeat and ripped Ortiz for admiring his homers. Price was in such a bad mood after the loss that he even took out his frustration on TBS’ analysts by going off on Dirk Hayhurst and Tom Verducci.
Fast forward to Friday and Price was making his second start of the season against the Sox and facing Ortiz for the first time (Ortiz only pitch hit in the last game between the teams that Price started). Price hit Ortiz with a pitch, which upset the slugger. Ortiz later exploded after Price hit Mike Carp with a pitch later in the game.
Following the game, Ortiz ripped Price.
“I have a lot of respect of the guy, man, but it’€™s over. I have no more respect for him,” Ortiz said via WEEI.com. “Last year we kick his a– in the playoffs, he went off, talking s— about everybody, Tom Verducci and everybody. Players. We kind of got to talk on the phone. We kind of straightened things out. He was kind of upset. Me as a veteran I kind of let him know how things go in this game. Later on he called me and apologized because he knows he was wrong. He apologized in public. He apologized to myself. Everything was cool. So first at-bat of the season against him he threw at me. I mean, it’€™s a war. It’€™s on. Next time he hits me he better bring the gloves. I have no respect for him no more.”
If you enjoyed those quotes, then cocky Papi was just getting warmed up. Check out this gem.
“I was going to let him know. I respect everybody in this league and I get the same respect from everybody,” Ortiz continued via WEEI. “If you’€™re mad because I take you deep twice, let me let you know, I have almost 500 homers in this league. It’€™s part of the game, son.”
“I have almost 500 homers in this league. It’s part of the game, son.” Seriously. Is that not just the best quote ever? Don’t get upset. I hit everyone, Ortiz says. How can you not love that?
And then came the money shot from Ortiz.
“I was surprised for a minute until I watched the video. I thought everything was cool. You can’€™t be acting like a little girl out there,” Ortiz said. “You aren’€™t going to win every time. When you give it up, that’€™s an experience for the next time. But when you’€™re to be acting like a little b-itch every time you give it up, bounce back like that and put your teammates in jeopardy, that’€™s going to cost you.”
Dang, so Ortiz straight up called David Price a little girl and little b-tch. It is sooooo on. We’ll eagerly be awaiting Price’s response.
For the record, Price said that he did not hit Ortiz or Carp intentionally.
“I’ve got to establish my fastball in,” Price said. “I’ve got six lefties in that lineup. It’s my favorite side of the plate to go to.”
The Sox felt differently, citing Price’s impressive control; the lefty had only hit two batters and walked eight entering the game. They also said after the game that they saw the Rays players high-fiving Price in the dugout after the first inning, which made the actions seem intentional in their minds.
As far as this debate, as a former pitcher, I almost always take their side. Nobody likes a guy who admires his home runs. But, as a pitcher, you shouldn’t give them up. And don’t hit a guy if he touched you up for a dinger; just get him out next time and give him a wink.
