Beloved former Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz threw out the first pitch in Monday night’s season finale against the arch rival New York Yankees to his former teammate Jason Varitek in his first public appearance since he was shot in the Dominican Republic last June.
On June 9th, 2019, Ortiz was shot in the back at point blank range while eating outside at a restaurant in the DR. Surveillance video showed an assailant pull up to the scene on a motorcycle, then walk right up to Ortiz unabated with a pistol drawn, execution style.
Ortiz nearly died from blood loss after the murder attempt, and was in the hospital for six weeks.
Authorities have arrested more than 14 individuals connected to the hit, although they allege that Ortiz was never the intended victim, but rather another patron at the bar that was a target of a local drug lord.
Fellow Dominican Republic natives Yankees sluggers Gary Sanchez and Edwin Encarnacion were seen in Instagram pictures while visiting Ortiz at his home over the weeked.
Although Sunday was marred by the firing of former team president Dave Dombroski, Monday night should be the highlight of the season for a Red Sox team nearly mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, currently 17.5 games back of the first place Yankees in the AL East, and eight games back of Oakland for the final Wildcard spot.