David Ortiz, baseball legend, shot at Dominican Republic bar

Former Boston Red Sox great David Ortiz expected to make full recovery after gunman shot him from behind.

David Ortiz
David Ortiz ranks 17th in Major League Baseball history in career home runs [File: Adam Glanzman/Getty Images]

David Ortiz, a three-time World Series champion during his career with the Boston Red Sox, was shot in the back outside a discotheque in the Dominican Republic.

The attack occurred in Santo Domingo, police spokesman Felix Duran Mejia said. 

Ortiz’s father, Enrique (Leo) Ortiz, told reporters outside the clinic late on Sunday his son was out of surgery and expected to make a full recovery.

His father said he had no idea why someone would have shot his son.

“He is out of surgery and stable, he is resting. Big Papi will be around for a long time,” Leo Ortiz said, using his son’s nickname. 

CDN 37, a news station in the Dominican Republic, reported a suspect had been arrested.

The incident generated much global reaction on social media:

Minnesota Timberwolves Center Karl-Anthony Towns expressed outrage:

Ortiz hit 541 home runs with 1,768 RBIs in 2,408 games in the majors. He ended his 20-year big league career in 2016 when he earned the last of his 10 All-Star appearances. The former designated hitter and first baseman won seven Silver Slugger awards.

Ortiz began his major league career by playing six seasons for the Minnesota Twins (1997-2002), but his career blossomed after he joined the Red Sox.

Source: Al Jazeera, News Agencies