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February 20, 2008
BY SEAN McADAM
Journal Sports Writer
FORT MYERS, Fla. -- It's been more than three months since David Ortiz underwent surgery on his torn right meniscus and the Sox' slugger already feels improvement.
''There's a little way to go with the knee,'' said Ortiz. ''But it's definitely feeling way better. I don't have that click and the pain. That's the most important thing.''
Ortiz admitted that the condition was ''painful'' last season and it affected him at the plate.
''To hit,'' said Ortiz, ''you need a base. There were times, putting pressure on it spinning, or trying to get to a pitch -- it was hurting.''
The knee likely contributed to his power dipping. He hit 54 homers in 2006, but fell to 35 last year. But Ortiz still enjoyed a strong year.
''Sometimes people focus on homers,'' he said. ''Home runs are great. They're what people want to see. But there are different ways to help the club. I like hitting home runs -- I'm not going to lie to you. But I'm a team player.''
Posted by Sean McAdam 
at 12:58 PM | Permalink
