David Ortiz turned heads Wednesday with some colorful language regarding one of Major League Baseballs new speed-up initiatives. The candid slugger wasnt happy when he learned batters must keep one foot in the box at all times this season. <\/p>\n
Ortizs tirade wasnt the only bit of news at JetBlue Park. Red Sox president\/CEO Larry Lucchino and chairman Tom Werner also addressed the media, as they do annually at spring training. <\/p>\n
Lets run down some notes. <\/p>\n
Ortiz wasnt aware of MLBs recent rule changes governing pace of play until a reporter filled him in on the details upon asking a question related to the topic. Everything snowballed from there. <\/p>\n
It seems like every time they want to speed up the game, they focus on the hitters. You ever notice that? Ortiz said. How about the pitchers who go over the mound and do all the (expletive). What about that? Why dont you tell the pitcher, Throw the pitch and stay on the mound. Dont move. <\/p>\n
MLB teams using moreinfield shifts is another topic that Ortiz isnt especially happy about. It doesnt sound like the 39-year-old is ready to make adjustments, either. <\/p>\n
That would be like saying, Im going to go back to be 20 (years old) again. You know what I mean? Ortiz said. You cant compete against that. Im a lefty, Im going to be hitting balls (to right field) more than (left field). It doesnt matter what I try to do. So thats nature. Its like a right-hander is going to be pulling balls more than they hit to the opposite field. <\/p>\n
Thats something that I would worry about eight, nine years ago. But not now. Im too old for that (expletive). <\/p>\n
Ortiz has been asked about retirement several times over the last couple of years. He still isnt ready to tackle the subject head on, though, as he simply doesnt know when hes going to hang up the spikes. <\/p>\n
Ortiz praised Tom Brady and the New England Patriots for their Super Bowl XLIX win over the Seattle Seahawks. <\/p>\n
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Continued here: <\/p>\n
Red Sox Notes: David Ortiz Too Old To Make Infield Shift Adjustments<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" David Ortiz turned heads Wednesday with some colorful language regarding one of Major League Baseballs new speed-up initiatives. The candid slugger wasnt happy when he learned batters must keep one foot in the box at all times this season. Continue reading