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Girardi faces heavy questioning »
April 13, 2008
Struggling designated hitter David Ortiz received a mental health day off tonight, sitting on his .070 batting average while the Red Sox entertained the Yankees in the rubber game of their three-game series.
And Ortiz, in droughts of 0 for 17 and 1 for 29, sounded like a man who needed the day off.
"I know exactly what I'm doing wrong. Everything is right here," said Ortiz, pointing to his head, as he sat at his locker before batting practice.
Ortiz said manager Terry Francona told him the previous night that he would have tonight off.
"I'm just going to chill," said Ortiz. "I have to stop thinking too much and fighting myself. I've been there before. I've been messed up before. Big time, big time. I know I'll be out of it at some point. It happens to all of us. I'll be all right.
"This game is very mental. Your mind takes over. I know in my my situation, my mind works more than anything else. Once you get physically prepared your mind takes over and sometimes you're fighting, fighting, fighting (yourself). Sometimes you have to chill out and come back with a fresh mind. The manager can see things. Terry knows what to do. I always do everything Terry tells me to do," said Ortiz.
Ortiz said his troubles at the plate are not the result of offseason surgery on his right knee.
"I'm fine," said Ortiz. "I don't get frustrated at all. I'm just trying to get back to being Big Papi again."
-- Steven Krasner
Posted by Steven Krasner 
at 5:41 PM | Permalink
Fred from Southington | April 13, 2008 6:51 PM link
Jeff | April 13, 2008 7:10 PM link
Fred from Southington | April 13, 2008 9:14 PM link
Good stuff!