A dugout discussion with David Ortiz
FORT MYERS, Fla. - David Ortiz still hasn't spoken to Rafael Devers since the Red Sox's big trade with the Giants that sent the designated hitter-turned-first baseman across the country.
That hasn't changed.
But the tone when Ortiz talks about Devers has taken somewhat of a turn.
Appearing on the Baseball Isn't Boring podcast, Ortiz explained how he currently views the former Red Sox star after experiencing frustration with Devers following the trade to San Francisco.
"I haven’t talked to him, but he talked to a friend of mine. I have so much love and respect for Devers," Ortiz explained. "Things happen in the game. Other than that, that’s my boy. That’s a kid I got to meet when he was 15. I’m always going to cheer for him. I’m always going to have love and respect for him, because he’s a great player. Sometimes as a player we think we have everything figured out until somebody steps in and lets you know what’s up.
"I think what happened with him here, he learned from it. He took it as a leasson and that’s just going to make him a better player and continue to be the beast he is. I’m always wishing him the best. I love watching him hit. That’s something that is unquestionable. I always wish him the best."
Ortiz's initial issues with Devers last year first involved the player's unwillingness to work out at first base after the injury to Triston Casas, and then were amplified when Devers failed to respond to any of the Hall of Famer's texts (which Ortiz made public via social media).
But now Ortiz seems to have softened his stance toward the former Red Sox, an approach - as he pointed out on the podcast - not unlike the one he took when he reconciled with Alex Rodriguez after feuding with the former Yankee.
"Listen, even in the biggest family (expletive) happens," Ortiz said.
The baseball relationships you build with people it comes and it goes. But at the end of the day, it’s nothing personal. It’s nothing to hurt anybody’s feeling. It’s just the momentum that carries over during the season, during the games."