BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Among the many tributes for David Ortiz after he was shot in his native Dominican Republic, came from another former Red Sox great — Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez.
Martinez who is now employed at the Major League Baseball Network, took some time Monday night to talk about the emotions he's dealing with the shooting of David Ortiz.
"I don't have enough words to describe who David Ortiz is, what David means to baseball," he said.
Martinez is a former teammate of Ortiz. Both men played important roles for the Red Sox. The team broke the Curse of the Bambino, winning the 2004 World Series.
Pedro Martinez #45, Curt Schilling #38 and David Ortiz 34 of the Boston Red Sox celebrate after defeating the St. Louis Cardinals 3-0 in game four of the World Series on October 27, 2004 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
"I am so disappointed to know that someone like David, who has saved so many lives, can have someone after his life," he said through tears " And I am sorry I get...I am sorry but it hurts me, it hurts me. The guy has saved lives and.. I am sorry and to see someone want to take his life way...in such a coward way it bothers me. It bothers me deeply and I feel for David like a brother like a family member I just can't take it," he said.
The Legendary former Red Sox slugger was transported to Massachusetts General Hospital by air ambulance Monday after being shot in the back at a bar in his native Dominican Republic Sunday night.
Ortiz, 44, suffered internal injuries to his organs which required his gallbladder, and part of his intestine to be removed by doctors in Santo Domingo, according to according to his spokesman, Leo López. He said Ortiz's liver was also damaged in the shooting Sunday night.
An investigation is on going as the cause to the shooting. Authorities say the alleged shooter is still at large. One suspect is in custody.
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The David Ortiz Shooting: What We Know So Far
Here's everything we know so far about the shooting and current condition of former Red Sox slugger and baseball legend David Ortiz.