Robinson Cano, CC Sabathia, and other New York Yankees and Mets players react to the horrible David Ortiz news from the weekend.
The baseball world is frozen in a state of shock. The David Ortiz news immediately placed it in such a sad state.
Ortiz, 43, was shot over the weekend in an attempted robbery. The Monday news that circulated had Ortiz in critical but stable condition.
Among the reactions coming from every part of the big-league landscape includes the local New York Yankees and Mets whose first game of a two-game Subway Series slate was washed out.
Fellow Dominican Robinson Cano couldn’t believe it happened, via Pete Caldera and Justin Toscano of North Jersey.
“It’s really sad that it happened. We’ve all seen the video. Someone came from behind. It’s really sad that this happened in the country,” said Mets second baseman Robinson Cano, a fellow Dominican. “That’s something that, now, we’ll have to be careful (about).
“He just built his new house, just got it two months ago. He was like, ‘Next time you come to Miami, come see the house,”’ Cano said.
“His presence is always going to be the same, no matter if he’s retired or still playing,” Cano said. “A guy that represents the country, a guy that does what he does for his foundation. He’s an idol for all of us.”
Yankees starting pitcher CC Sabathia, who’s been abused on the diamond by Big Papi from time to time, has already seen the footage circulating.
“(Severino) sent me the video right away, everything that was happening,’’ Sabathia said of the security camera footage that made its way onto the Internet.
“Hopefully, he’s doing well. I heard he’s going to get transferred (to the U.S.) in the next couple days,’’ Sabathia said. “Praying for him and his family.’’
The 10-time All-Star and future Hall of Famer was shot in the back while at a club on Sunday night in his native Dominican Republic.
Yankees skipper Aaron Boone, whose legendary home run in October 2003, knocked out Ortiz’s Boston Red Sox, couldn’t help but glow over his former rival.
“Charismatic, great guy, great competitor…still is a giant in our sport even in retirement,” said Boone, who competed against Ortiz as a player, memorably as a Yankee in the 2003 AL Championship Series. “I just hope that he’s doing well and pray for a speedy recovery for him.”
The Subway Series will kick off on Tuesday with a double-dip at Yankee Stadium. David Ortiz will assuredly remain in the minds of every player.
