Ortiz comments on MVP, Sox lineup both wrong

David Ortiz of the Boston Red Sox has set off two firestorms with his comments this week that New York Yankee shortstop Derek Jeter should not be the AL MVP. Ortiz, still stinging from not winning the MVP last year, said that power hitters should overshadow others in the MVP race.

He is wrong. It is the total contribution to a winning team that defines an MVP. Yes, power hitters will often be those people, but not always.

Jeter is the heart and soul of a very strong Yankee team. His bat, his glove, his leadership, his day in day out consistency of effort all make him the MVP of the AL this year.

Ortiz likes to argue that he is second in the minds of many because he is a DH. Wrong again.

That would have been true three years ago, but the thinking on that has changed for players, fans, and the press. Not completely changed, but significantly so.

Of greater import to Sox fans has to be this comment by Ortiz: “Don’t get me wrong [Jeter] is a great player, having a great season, but he’s got a lot of guys in that lineup. Top to bottom, you’ve got a guy who can hurt you. Come hit in this lineup, see how good you can be.”

What? Talk about trashing the rest of his Boston teammates. Big Papi has been the darling of Sox fans. This is not going to go down well.

The Sox have a tumultuous offseason to face and this comment has made matters tougher.

Manny Ramirez continues on his private path of great numbers and no connection to Boston. Curt Shilling hasn’t met a camera he doesn’t like and drives teammates crazy with his constant “it’s all about me” attitude.

Coco Crisp is an issue in center. The bullpen is a work in progress with a closer in Jonathan Papelbon who should be a starter, but what if the Sox can’t find a closer for next year?

The starters are an issue with the riveting case of Jon Lester’s cancer fight at center stage.

Tim Wakefield may throw the knuckler, but even for him the end has to be near.

Is Willy Mo Pena ready to be a regular? He angered manager Terry Francona last month when he said he didn’t think he was ready, right when the Sox needed him to be ready.

Do the Sox keep Trot Nixon? Who’s going to play short and second?

GM Theo Epstein has taken his hits for deals not done this year. The Boston pressure is on to get a postseason team on the field for next year.

Now Ortiz has added a bit of disrespect for teammates to the mix. Ortiz obviously is going nowhere, but he needs to come clean with the other guys in the locker room as to what he said.

Claiming to be misquoted will not suffice – he wasn’t. Winning covers a myriad of blemishes. The Sox have not won to expectations this year, and unraveling comes a lot easier, especially when the heart of the lineup speaks with disdain of his mates.

Old Town native Gary Thorne is an ESPN and ABC sportscaster.