David Ortiz Rants, Hits Salient Point About the Nature of “Leadership”

All, Baseball Ty Duffy May 22nd. 2012, 1:27pm

David Ortiz is the most senior Red Sox player. When asked about the team’s leadership and a team meeting he had called on May 11, he bristled at the line of questioning.

He (apparently) called out current and former players (Varitek, Pedroia) the media considers leaders.

“Well, let me tell you, I was reading an article [that] talked about the leaders people call ‘leaders’ in this town,” he said. “Basically, it seems like no matter what you do, it’s not good enough.
“And you can only call leaders the guys who are out diving for balls on the field or calling pitches behind the plate?”

He also questioned the notion of “leadership” itself, asserting he’s just “the kind of [expletive] who worries about winning games.”

“What they call leaders is not what a leader is all about,” he said. “They need to go to the dictionary and find out what the word ‘leader’ means. You know what I’m saying? The leaders they call leaders are the ones who get in front of the crowd and try to lead them. But that’s not the case here.
“I’m the kind of [expletive] who worries about winning games. I’m a winner. I hate losing. But what I do, I don’t do for everybody to know. I do it for us to get better, and the trash talking out there to stop.”

This will be characterized as “a rant,” but Ortiz is right. “Leadership,” as defined by the media, does not exist. Leadership is a dumb sportswriting trope. It is a cheap infusion of narrative, a vacuous explanation in lieu of trying thought. Leadership is impossible to define. It has no predictive value. It can only be correlated with success or failure, after the success or failure.

Even if such a trait does exist, it would be least relevant in baseball, a series of isolated acts and individual match ups. What Jon Lester does on the mound has absolutely nothing to do with Josh Beckett cheering him on from the dugout or slathering himself with chicken grease.

Considering stuff we can correlate with winning baseball games, Ortiz is hitting .333/.402/.616 with 10 HR in 159AB. If the Red Sox make the playoffs, after a rough start he will be “leading by example.”

[Photo via Presswire]

aroundtheweb

87 Responses to “David Ortiz Rants, Hits Salient Point About the Nature of “Leadership””

1
cassino Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 1:30 PM
Agree.
2
SenyorMadre Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 1:31 PM
john mcenroe is a hockey guy?
yeah, like uh, boomer esiason.
shock
ing
3
TimmyTheEnchanter Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 1:31 PM
Well put, Tyler.
4
molemaninthemorning Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 1:32 PM
He also questioned the notion of “leadership” itself, asserting he’s just “the kind of [expletive] who worries about winning games.”
Bedmark?
5
Scalia Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 1:33 PM
This will be characterized as “a rant,” but Ortiz is right. “Leadership,” as defined by the media, does not exist. Leadership is a dumb sportswriting trope. It is a cheap infusion of narrative, a vacuous explanation in lieu of trying thought. Leadership is impossible to define. It has no predictive value. It can only be correlated with success or failure, after the success or failure.
Even if such a trait does exist, it would be least relevant in baseball, a series of isolated acts and individual match ups. What Jon Lester does on the mound has absolutely nothing to do with Josh Beckett cheering him on from the dugout or slathering himself with chicken grease.
I love this….very well put
6
ButtersBC Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 1:35 PM
has absolutely nothing to do with Josh Beckett cheering him on from the dugout
But what if Beckett yelled out “Hey, you’re only one pitch away” during times of trouble? I have it on good authority that helps
7
molemaninthemorning Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 1:36 PM
Even if such a trait does exist, it would be least relevant in baseball, a series of isolated acts and individual match ups. What Jon Lester does on the mound has absolutely nothing to do with Josh Beckett cheering him on from the dugout or slathering himself with chicken grease.
Wait a minute. Are you suggesting that Varitek’s “C” was merely a farce to placate stupid fans and drive a media narrative?
8
cracker jack Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 1:36 PM
He also questioned the notion of “leadership” itself, asserting he’s just “the kind of [expletive] who worries about winning games.”
Bedmark?
I would love to see an interview with an athlete where he just uses the word expletive instead of swearing, so the reporter has to write it without the brackets
9
payaso Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 1:36 PM
He does lead the team in magic eye drops tho.
10
spencer096 Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 1:36 PM
‘gree
11
St. Bear Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 1:37 PM
Leadership is a dumb sportswriting trope.
I would’ve gone with tripe. It provides a better connection with us peasants, and anytime you have a chance to mention sheep intestines, you need to capitalize on it.
12
vajayjay redick Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 1:37 PM
I would love to see an interview with an athlete where he just uses the word expletive instead of swearing, so the reporter has to write it without the brackets
LOL
13
Tim Ryan Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 1:38 PM
Jeetah is a leadah.
14
Babar 2.0 Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 1:38 PM
I agree with Duffy’s thoughts on this…and I have no idea what Ortiz is saying.
15
VladimirCrouton Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 1:39 PM
It is what it is. When’s Youk getting dealt?
16
vajayjay redick Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 1:39 PM
I would think the DH should be a team leader, what else does he have to do for the 99% of the game he’s not in the batters box?
17
sousedbergin Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 1:39 PM
“I’m the kind of [expletive] who worries about winning games.
cunty slag?
18
njensen79 Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 1:39 PM
Nice post Duffy.
19
cracker jack Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 1:39 PM
I liked the players only meeting because it sounded like the hitters called out the pitchers for sucking. That’s awesome.
20
St. Bear Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 1:40 PM
He also questioned the notion of “leadership” itself, asserting he’s just “the kind of [expletive] who worries about winning games.”
Bedmark?
I still can’t believe that happened. Definitely a bedmark low in sports journalism.
21
molemaninthemorning Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 1:40 PM
I would think the DH should be a team leader, what else does he have to do for the 99% of the game he’s not in the batters box?
Human growth hormone?
22
njensen79 Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 1:41 PM
I would think the DH should be a team leader, what else does he have to do for the 99% of the game he’s not in the batters box?
See how many tins of Kodiak he can fit into his mouth?
23
ButtersBC Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 1:41 PM
and I have no idea what Ortiz is saying
I can only assume he was taking the long road to calling Dan Shaughnessy an asshole which ironically has long been practiced by Red Sox leaders
24
Curtis the Close talker Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 1:41 PM
Leaders storm into the manager’s press conference to rant about the loss of an RBI. Between that and the eyedrops thing, guy is such a dipshit.
25
cracker jack Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 1:42 PM
It is what it is. When’s Youk getting dealt?
I think he’s supposed to come back tonight. I like the idea of him playing both 3rd and 1st with some more of A-Gon in right field.
26
St. Bear Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 1:43 PM
I liked the players only meeting because it sounded like the hitters called out the pitchers for sucking. That’s awesome.
Well, assuming the meeting was before the game on 5/11, the Red Sox are 9-2 since.
27
Ty_Webb Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 1:43 PM
It is what it is. When’s Youk getting dealt?
Youk is definitely NOT getting dealt
/Webbercantcoach
28
TimmyTheEnchanter Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 1:43 PM
I like the idea of him playing both 3rd and 1st with some more of A-Gon in right field.
I really like the idea of Gonzalez in right field for entertainment purposes.
At this point the Sox have to come up with creative ways for expensive outfielders to get injured, so kudos.
29
jdeeser5 Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 1:44 PM
This rant came about after a reporter asked about a team meeting that was held after the infamous golf outing by Beckett and Buchholz. Oritz wanted to know how he found out about the meeting. The reporter had questioned Ortiz if it was true if during the meeting he told the pitchers to start pitching to their capability. Supposidly this has been escalating for a bit as the hitters/fielders had turned on the pitchers and were getting a little pissed at their attitudes as well as performance.
30
cracker jack Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 1:45 PM
I really like the idea of Gonzalez in right field for entertainment purposes.
Yeah, I will like it until he really misplays something. But, as slow as he is, he does play good defense. He’s not completely awkward out there.
31
spencer096 Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 1:45 PM
I still can’t believe that happened. Definitely a bedmark low in sports journalism.
i thought that meant RGIII said “bedmark.”
low point in jesuit education.
32
rittyrich Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 1:45 PM
Even if such a trait does exist, it would be least relevant in baseball, a series of isolated acts and individual match ups. What Jon Lester does on the mound has absolutely nothing to do with Josh Beckett cheering him on from the dugout or slathering himself with chicken grease.
I disagree. I think this may apply to professionals who are professionals and by their definition do not need leaders, but as to baseball generally, and certainly within the lower ranks, leadership is a tangible thing that does have an affect on the quality of play.
33
TimmyTheEnchanter Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 1:46 PM
getting a little pissed at their attitudes as well as performance.
I like to imagine Beckett saying “so you’re just now noticing I’m a total prick?”
34
ButtersBC Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 1:46 PM
Does someone bring snacks to a players-only meeting?
35
ms621 Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 1:47 PM
i thought that meant RGIII said “bedmark.”
low point in jesuit education.
Baylor is a baptist school.
36
scripty Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 1:47 PM
“Before matches McEnroe would sit around his hotel room mutilating Purple Haze and Foxy Lady. One day during Wimbledon, he says, he was in his hotel room administering last rites to David Bowie’s Suffragette City when he heard a gentle rapping at the door. The knocker was Bowie himself. “I’ll buy you a drink upstairs,” he told McEnroe. “Just don’t bring the guitar.”
37
Scouser Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 1:48 PM
I can only assume he was taking the long road to calling Dan Shaughnessy an asshole which ironically has long been practiced by Red Sox leaders
I would LOVE for a player to call Shaughnessy a “fucking stupid negative asshole right to his face.”
38
Nathan Wind Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 1:48 PM
“A solid majority of voters nationwide favor legalizing and regulating marijuana similar to the way alcohol and tobacco cigarettes are currently regulated,” reports the polling firm Rasmussen.
“A new national telephone survey of Likely Voters shows that 56% favor legalizing and regulating marijuana in a similar manner to the way alcohol and tobacco cigarettes are regulated. Thirty-six percent (36%) are opposed to such a legalizing and regulating pot.”
That’s up nine percentage points from March 2012, when Rasmussen found that “47% [of Americans] now believe the country should legalize and tax marijuana in order to help solve the nation’s fiscal problems. Forty-two percent (42%) disagree, while 10% are undecided.”
Earlier this month, Mason-Dixon Polling & Research reported that “75% of Democrats, 67% of Republicans, and, notably 79% of Independents said that President Obama should respect state medical marijuana laws.”
In October 2011, the polling firm Gallup reported that for the first time 50 percent of Americans thought marijuana should be legal, while 46 percent felt that it should remain illegal.
H/t Law Enforcement Against Prohibition.
39
St. Bear Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 1:48 PM
Does someone bring snacks to a players-only meeting?
“I was told there’d be punch and pie.”
40
ms621 Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 1:50 PM
I would LOVE for a player to call Shaughnessy a “fucking stupid negative asshole right to his face.”
Does anyone remember when ESPN had a special mock trial for Pete Rose a few years ago? Catherine Crier was the judge and I think Alan Dershowitz was one of the attorneys. Shaughnessy was called as a witness for the defenders of Pete Rose. On cross examination Dershowtiz ripped him apart. Shaughnessy looked like he was about to cry on the witness stand.
41
SouvenirCity Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 1:52 PM
It’s OK, David. We all know your leadership was chemically induced. Not everyone can lead like #2.
42
José Pippen Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 1:53 PM
I’m the kind of [expletive] who worries about winning games.
Why can’t you transcribe the mother part, though?
43
KC Resident Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 1:53 PM
low point in jesuit education.
Baylor is a baptist school.
Spencer just pissed off a bunch of catholics and Baptists.
44
VladimirCrouton Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 1:53 PM
H/t Law Enforcement Against Prohibition.
What about Heroin and Cocaine? Those would be real money makers.
45
molemaninthemorning Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 1:53 PM
Why can’t you transcribe the mother part, though?
I was hoping he used the n-word.
46
Ty_Webb Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 1:54 PM
What about Heroin and Cocaine? Those would be real money makers.
at least shit would get done
/team no weed
47
SouvenirCity Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 1:55 PM
I liked the players only meeting because it sounded like the hitters called out the pitchers for sucking.
Guess all the Cubs need to do is have a players only meeting where they tell the bullpen it sucks. What’s that? The Red Sox pitching has still sucked since May 11th? Oh.
48
spencer096 Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 1:55 PM
Baylor is a baptist school.
GAWD.
49
José Pippen Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 1:56 PM
Even if such a trait does exist, it would be least relevant in baseball
It absolutely exists. And it would appear to be least relevant in baseball. But it matters in basketball and football
50
Shatner, Dead? Shatner IS Dead. Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 1:57 PM
Great post.
51
VladimirCrouton Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 1:57 PM
Hi-larious
52
St. Bear Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 1:57 PM
The Red Sox pitching has still sucked since May 11th?
34 runs over those 11 games. If you go through the season only giving up 3 runs a game, your pitching staff would be lauded as an all timer.
53
spencer096 Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 1:58 PM
at least shit would get done
/team no weed
can’t tell if this is a joke or not.
54
cracker jack Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 1:58 PM
What’s that? The Red Sox pitching has still sucked since May 11th? Oh.
Their ERA since then compared to before has dropped like 3 runs, but whatever.
55
Scouser Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 1:59 PM
I was hoping he used the n-word.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuLrBLxbLxw
NSFW language
56
VladimirCrouton Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 1:59 PM
But it matters in hockey and football
Yup.
57
SouvenirCity Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 2:00 PM
34 runs over those 11 games. If you go through the season only giving up 3 runs a game, your pitching staff would be lauded as an all timer.
With only 2 guys carrying the work load. I think Buchholz just gave up another 430 footer.
58
Hopboy Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 2:00 PM
has absolutely nothing to do with Josh Beckett cheering him on from the dugout or slathering himself with chicken grease.
Oh, so now we are going to pick on how the man eats his Cheetos.
/ http://wickedimproper.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/WI_Fat-Sox.jpg
//I’ll show myself out.
59
molemaninthemorning Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 2:00 PM
Their ERA since then compared to before has dropped like 3 runs, but whatever.
Six games in that span with one or fewer runs given up I believe.
60
TimmyTheEnchanter Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 2:00 PM
Hi-larious
Race war!
61
Ty_Webb Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 2:01 PM
joking spence, easy….
62
A.P. Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 2:02 PM
With only 2 guys carrying the work load
still more than what the Yanks have to offer. Keep up the factless trolling though. You’re the best
63
johndewar Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 2:02 PM
Leadership in baseball is certainly overrated, but it is naive to think that leadership doesn’t exist as you infer in this post.
64
TheRealAC Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 2:04 PM
tobacco HOF there…
/MLJ’d
65
cracker jack Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 2:05 PM
still more than what the Yanks have to offer. Keep up the factless trolling though. You’re the best
These past two days of trolling makes me believe SC is a little bit worried about the Sox passing the Yankees and leaving them in the dust…
66
Der Kaiser Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 2:08 PM
ATHLETES!!!!!!!!!!!
67
SouvenirCity Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 2:09 PM
These past two days of trolling makes me believe SC is a little bit worried about the Sox passing the Yankees and leaving them in the dust…
They should both be concerned that the Rays are doing just fine without Longoria. Pitching wins that division. The Rays have it. The Yankees and the Red Sox do not. While the Orioles have a comfortable mix of both to this point of the season.
Instead of looking at this from your usual New York and Boston-centric perspective, how about broadening the horizon? There’s 3 other teams in the division. Two of which are performing at significantly better levels than the Yanks and Sawks.
68
VladimirCrouton Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 2:09 PM
ATHLETES!!!!!!!!!!!
Lets see Dave Beckham hit a Verlander curve.
69
molemaninthemorning Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 2:11 PM
Instead of looking at this from your usual New York and Boston-centric perspective
Pretty sure you started every NY/Bos thing in this thread. Keep on a backpedaling.
70
SouvenirCity Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 2:12 PM
Keep up the factless trolling though.
And please explain where I’ve been bereft of facts. Neglecting to mention that the Yankees staff outside of Sabathia (kinda like the Red Sox save for Lester) has been terrible doesn’t mean I’m not using facts. Kuroda is terrible and not suited for Yankee Stadium. Ivan Nova currently ranks 131st in percentage of pitches thrown for first pitch strikes in the AL. Phil Hughes is Clay Buchholz in terms of giving up the long ball.
That fair and balanced for you?
71
Der Kaiser Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 2:12 PM
Lets see Dave Beckham hit a Verlander curve.
Let’s see Josh Beckett run for 1/4 mile without suffering massive heart attack.
ATHLETES!!!!!!!!!!!!!
72
PeerLessPrices Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 2:13 PM
This is why I love Papi. So glad they didn’t get rid of him when things looked bad.
/nods at Youk
//Don’t do it Cherry
73
SouvenirCity Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 2:15 PM
Pretty sure you started every NY/Bos thing in this thread.
Pretty sure I took a dump on the Red Sox pitching staff and didn’t mention the Yankees at all. The standard retort of “[team you like] isn’t any better” brought up the Yankees.
74
Tim Thomas's Bagels Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 2:15 PM
Two of which are performing at significantly better levels than the Yanks and Sawks.
Sox actually have the second best run-differential in the division
75
Jay V Of Considerable Influence Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 2:18 PM
I would’ve gone with tripe. It provides a better connection with us peasants, and anytime you have a chance to mention sheep intestines, you need to capitalize on it.
Not to be picky, but tripe 99% of the time is referring to beef stomach, not sheep nor intestines.
76
SouvenirCity Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 2:19 PM
Sox actually have the second best run-differential in the division
Got the same SRS as both BAL and TB. Both those teams have played a tougher schedule and currently sit 1st and 2nd.
77
cracker jack Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 2:19 PM
Your bashing just seems over the top lately SC. Lighten up. We can discuss the teams’ deficiencies like adults, we have before.
78
cracker jack Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 2:20 PM
Both those teams have played a tougher schedule and currently sit 1st and 2nd.
I am in no way being sarcastic, do you have a link for this?
79
SouvenirCity Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 2:22 PM
Baltimore is 21-14 against teams over .500. They’re the only team in the AL East with a winning record against those types of teams. Tampa is exactly .500. Baltimore has the best road record in baseball. Tampa has the best home record. Toronto allows the fewest runs in the division.
There are very, very few categories where either Boston or New York are currently the best of the 5 teams in that division.
/it’s also May 22nd
//one of them isn’t making the playoffs
80
Tim Thomas's Bagels Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 2:22 PM
Got the same SRS as both BAL and TB. Both those teams have played a tougher schedule and currently sit 1st and 2nd.
So how are they playing “significantly better” than the Sox again?
81
SouvenirCity Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 2:23 PM
I am in no way being sarcastic, do you have a link for this?
Yup. Column after run diffential.
82
SouvenirCity Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 2:25 PM
Ah shit. I made a mistake. I read the column wrong. Scratch those records against teams over .500. Those are the under .500 records. My fault.
See? Mistake admission. The road, home and runs allowed ones stand though.
83
cracker jack Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 2:26 PM
Yup. Column after run diffential.
I have no idea if .5 is statistically much larger than .4 , but to the naked, stupid eye it doesnt seem like much.
84
squawkbox Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 2:27 PM
A leadership post w/o a Tebow reference?
Your SEO skills suck.
85
SouvenirCity Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 2:28 PM
Wait! No! I was right!
I had a big lunch. Mac and cheese is clogging up the brain. That and Matt Garza’s performance against the lowly Astros last night has me questioning myself today.
86
MP Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 2:29 PM
It absolutely exists. And it would appear to be least relevant in baseball. But it matters in basketball and football
Leadership in baseball is certainly overrated, but it is naive to think that leadership doesn’t exist as you infer in this post.
These.
87
SouvenirCity Says:
May 22nd, 2012 at 2:30 PM
I have no idea if .5 is statistically much larger than .4 , but to the naked, stupid eye it doesnt seem like much.
It’s not that significant. But the Orioles have beaten up some good teams this year. Beating up Toronto and Tampa so far. They’ve struggled with the Yankees (not sure why). Beat the Nationals 2 out of 3. I think the Rangers are the only team outside of New York that has a winning record against them. Maybe the Angels.