David Ortiz on David Price: 'I guess the rules are not for everyone'
Predictably, David Ortiz was not happy to learn that Brandon Workman was suspended for throwing at Evan Longoria while David Price skated after starting last Friday'ÂÂs fracas with what the Boston designated hitter called "some punk-ass [expletive]." After Price, who has a history with Ortiz dating back to last season'ÂÂs ALDS, plunked Ortiz in the first inning and hit Mike Carp in the fourth, warnings were issued to both teams. Workman missed behind the head of Longoria in the sixth inning, resulting in his ejection. Speaking to reporters Tuesday, Ortiz was heated at the lack of discipline for Price. "I don'ÂÂt even know what to say, you know? I mean, he started everything up and we've got to pay for it, basically," Ortiz said. "ÂÂThat'ÂÂs the message that I'ÂÂm getting, right? I don'ÂÂt have any answer about that, but it'ÂÂs like I say, way too much evidence now that he hit me on purpose, and the funny thing is that we are the ones that are getting fines, suspensions, all kind of stuff. I guess the rules are not for everyone." Price said prior to Saturday'ÂÂs game that Ortiz acts like he'ÂÂs "bigger than the game of baseball." Ortiz disagreed with that, and he also was irritated that Price still harbored animosity toward him over Game 2 of the ALDS, in which Price felt Ortiz looked at one of his home runs a little too long. "He says I think I'ÂÂm bigger than the game? Who around the league can say that about myself? It'ÂÂs basically what happens every time the pitcher screws up," Ortiz said. 'ÂÂThey'ÂÂre always looking for excuses. You'ÂÂre never going to see a pitcher coming out and saying, 'ÂÂYeah, I hit him on purpose.' 'ÂÂOh, I was trying to establish my fastball in.' Bro, you've given eight walks in 80 innings. You know what you'ÂÂre doing out there. "In my case, when he hit me I was a little confused because everything, the way it went down the year before and stuff. Basically, first inning, but as the game goes by I start thinking about things and seeing things different, and that'ÂÂs why I was so angry after the game. ... I don'ÂÂt think what they'ÂÂre doing is fair. I think the rules should be for everybody." While the fact that the benches cleared between the two teams twice in less than a week would suggest things could remain heated between the two clubs going forward, Ortiz said Price will not hit him again. "ÂÂIn my case, I made my point clear. I'ÂÂm not going to get hit again, not by him. I'ÂÂm not going to get hit again my him," Ortiz said. 'ÂÂHe did it on purpose, he punked me and that'ÂÂs very disrespectful. I'ÂÂm a grown-ass man, I've been around the league for a long time and I know how to take care of business on my own." For more Red Sox coverage, visit weei.com/redsox.