VIDEO: Jason Varitek Gets Emotional Discussing David Ortiz's Leadership in Wake of Shooting
By Michael Luciano
Tributes from all over the baseball world have been flowing in after Boston Red Sox legend David Ortiz was wounded in an attempted shooting last night in the Dominican Republic. Perhaps no testimonial to the greatness of Ortiz can be matched than the one authored by former Boston catcher Jason Varitek, who won two championships in nine seasons alongside Ortiz-- he couldn't help but get choked up when discussing what Big Papi meant to those championship teams.
An emotional Jason Varitek talks about David Ortiz as a leader and a teammate. pic.twitter.com/H95oY9M8vy
— NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSBoston) June 10, 2019
The outpouring of emotion on Ortiz's behalf further crystallizes the idea that even as great of a baseball player he was, Ortiz is a better person, humanitarian, and ambassador for the game.
His 541 career home runs and steady presence in the heart of the order on some of the best teams in recent baseball memory is one thing, but his altruism and leadership on and off the diamond is the true testament to the kind of man he is.
This story is a prime example of how great a person @davidortiz is.
— MLB (@MLB) June 10, 2019
Papi has always been there for kids like Maverick through his work with the @DavidOrtizFund, and now the baseball world is there for him.
Get well soon, Papi! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/om1YXj39Lw
While tragic and horrifying doesn't even begin to describe what happened that night in the Dominican Republic, baseball has managed to come together as one to honor one of their greatest ambassadors in his hour of need.