Tiffany Ortiz, the wife of former Boston Red Sox star David Ortiz, has broken her silence about her husband’s shooting in the Dominican Republic. Ortiz was the target of a botched hit job and Tiffany thanked her husband’s friend for “quick thinking” that helped keep Big Papi alive.
“I want to take this opportunity to offer our heartfelt thanks and gratitude to Eliezer Salvador, owner of Presidente Sports, for your quick thinking and swift action on Sunday night,” Tiffany Ortiz said in a statement, via the New York Post.
“Your heroism and selflessness were the first steps to ensuring David could get the urgent care he required. For that, we are eternally grateful.”
Those responsible for the shooting gunman Rolfy Ferrery and Eddy Feliz Garcia, who was driving the motorcycle that transported Ferrery to the bar in Santo Domingo that Ortiz was at, have been arrested along with other accomplices.
Following the shooting, Ortiz underwent two surgeries. He is in stable condition and is currently recovering in Massachusetts after being transported from the Dominican Republic. During the surgeries, Ortiz had his gallbladder removed and part of his intestines.
Ortiz was a member of three World Series championship teams during his team with the Boston Red Sox and was the 2013 World Series MVP. Ortiz was in his birthplace of Santo Domingo when he was shot.
Throughout his MLB career, Ortiz was a 10-time All-Star, seven-time Silver Slugger Award winner, Roberto Clemente Award winner, two-time AL Hank Aaron Award winner, and the AL home run leader in 2006.
Ortiz’s No. 34 was retired by the Red Sox following his playing career.
