Red Sox’s David Ortiz Defends Bobby Valentine
Published at
Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images(NEW YORK) — As the Boston Red Sox continue to slide in the 2012 season, Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz has been on the disabled list since July 17 watching from the dugout.
Ortiz is suffering from a strained right Achilles tendon but was able to voice his opinion on first-year manager Bobby Valentine’s job.
“I think Bobby’s doing great, man,” Ortiz said on Friday. “He had to deal with so many things through the season, a lot of guys’ injuries. I guarantee if we don’t have that many guys go onto the DL this year, history would be different this year, and all the talks and negativity that have come out against him, I don’t think it would be there.”
Ortiz believes that when it comes down to it, it’s the players on the field who should take more of the blame for their rough season.
“Because what does it mean if you’re playing well? He can’t manage the team and at the same time go and play for us. All he can do is make moves and make decisions. But if you don’t have your squad out there providing what you expect — because of injuries or bad games or whatever — I don’t think people should be looking at it like it’s his fault we struggled the way we have this year.”
Before being placed on the disabled list, Ortiz was batting .316 with 23 home runs and an on-base percentage of .414.
Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio