Ortiz, affectionately known as Big Papi told reporters surrounding his locker that there's "more drama, more s---" and implied he wasn't happy how the local media treats the team.
"I'm just tired of dealing with the drama here," Ortiz said. "This is baseball, man. It seems like everything that goes on around here is like one of those Congress decisions that will affect the whole nation. It ain't like that, man. This is baseball. We're supposed to have fun, to have our performance out there at the highest level. Every day is something new, some drama, some more [expletive]. I'm tired of that, man."
The Red Sox (35-33) have been struggling this season and— after last year's epic collapse, locker room antics and the firing of manager Terry Francona— all eyes are focused on the team and new manager Bobby Valentine. They are still in fourth place — only one game out of the American League East cellar.
Ortiz, on the other hand, is having a grand season batting .313 with a team-high 18 home runs and 49 RBIs.
The Red Sox DH took exception to an ESPN report earlier this week that said the Sox clubhouse had a "toxic" envioronment— a claim disputed by the players.
Valentine tried to lighten the tension by telling reporters, "You might have caught [Ortiz] on a bad day."
"He's really pretty good with drama, like ninth-inning drama," he joked.
Ortiz wasn't exactly smiling when he ended the locker room chat by saying," It's becoming the ----hole it used to be. Look around bro. Look around. Playing here used to be so much fun. Now, every day is something new, not related to baseball. People need to leave us alone, [let us] play ball and do what we know how to do."
VIDEO OF FULL INTERVIEW
These overpaid so called professional athletes need a reality check. They're living the dream. Yours mine and theirs. They grew up as kids dreaming every day about playing in the bigs. Now they're there making millions and WHINING?? Shut up and play ball. There's no whining in baseball. There's no whining allowed ANYWHERE when you're making $20 mil/year.
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