Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz will not face suspension for completely obliterating two phones in the dugout with a bat this weekend, according to ESPNBoston.com. The outburst came while the Red Sox were in Baltimore playing the Orioles.
Michael Teevan, a spokesman for Major League Baseball, said the situation is still under review. However, suspension will not be a course of action.
The incident began Saturday while Ortiz was facing Orioles pitcher Jairo Asencio. The count had reached 3-0 and Ortiz planned to take a pitch. Asencio fired a pitch which appeared to be high, so Ortiz threw his bat and prepared to walk to first base. However, home plate umpire Tim Timmons’ called strike one. Pretty soon, the count was full. Ortiz swung and missed for strike three and then began to argue with Timmons. The argument escalated to a tantrum once Ortiz went back to the dugot. He hit the phones numerous times causing pieces to fly everywhere. He eventually had to be restrained by Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia.
Although the video below will be played for years to come, this moment is a bump on the road in what has been an exceptional year for Ortiz. He is hitting .329 this season with 20 homers, 67 RBIs and a .414 on-base percentage. He has been a crucial piece in the Red Sox lineup and would be in the conversation for MVP if not for the performances of Detroit Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera (.360 BA, 32 HR, 99 RBI and .455) and Baltimore Orioles first baseman Chris Davis (.304 BA, 37 HR, 97 RBI and .378 OBP).
The Boston Red Sox (63-44) are currently trailing the Tampa Bay Rays (63-43) by a half game in the AL East.
