David Ortiz Calls Donald Trump's Remarks About Mexico 'A Slap In The Face'
BOSTON (CBS) – David Ortiz rarely weighs in on politics, but he's taking aim at presidential candidate Donald Trump's policies in a new interview.
The Red Sox slugger told USA Today that Trump's border wall proposal and comments about Mexico sending rapists and criminals to the United States "didn't sit well with me."
"When you speak like that about us, it's a slap in the face," Ortiz told the newspaper, referring to Latinos in general. "As Latin people we deserve respect, no matter where you're from."
Ortiz added that Mexicans who come to the U.S. are "willing to do all the dirty work."
"Latin people here in the United States are the spark plug of the country's economy," Ortiz said. "Whoever opposes that is going to lose."
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Big Papi, 40, has said he plans to retire after this season. He told USA Today that he's more concerned about his off-the-field legacy than his impressive stats on the field.
"That matters to me more than any home runs I've hit," Ortiz said. "It may inspire some of the young players coming up to try to emulate the things I've done right."
And what does Ortiz plan to do once he puts down the bat for good? According to USA Today, he's talked with Major League Baseball about a role promoting the game down the road. He also wants to open an academy in the Dominican Republican that would help baseball prospects manage their finances.