Newly minted MLB Hall of Famer David “Big Papi” Ortiz has found a number of personal issues in his orbit as of late.
During the time that he successfully made it into the MLB Hall of Fame, Ortiz saw the man who attempted to kill him go to prison.
The Escaped Murder Plot
Accused Dominican drug kingpin Cesar Emilio Peralta, linked to the shooting of Ortiz, was arrested during the 2021 holiday season. Peralta had been in custody in Colombia and was extradited to U.S. authorities in Puerto Rico just before Christmas.
If Cesar Emilio Peralta’s allegations are true, extradition of ex president @DaniloMedina to the United States in coming months should be no surprise. @DEAHQ @USMarshalsHQ
(Cesar was charged under the Kingpin Act after his role in the shooting of Red Sox slugger David Ortiz.)
— Michael Mella 🐊 (@pico87mn) October 2, 2021
“El Abusador,” which translates to “The Abuser,” now faces drug trafficking charges.
The FBI had wanted Peralta since late 2018 for his reported decade of alleged drug trafficking in Latin America. However, the shooting of Ortiz at a Dominican Republic bar in June 2019 has also been linked to Peralta.
Hall Bound
Ortiz was the sole inductee in the Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 2022. In his first year of eligibility, the Boston Red Sox designated hitter received 77.9 percent of the Baseball Writer’s Association of America votes to ensure enshrinement in Cooperstown.
Barry Bonds congratulates David Ortiz on being elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame pic.twitter.com/SB9IbvW5MG
— SF Giants on NBCS (@NBCSGiants) January 26, 2022
The same body of writers who elected “Big Papi” David Ortiz did not elect Barry Bonds. Ortiz is now the first player to enter the Hall of Fame who tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs during his playing days.
Ortiz’s induction has tested the waters of credibility over a perceived inherent bias.
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Asked To Vacate The Premises
Now, after being congratulated by his wife for being inducted, Tiffany Ortiz has flipped the script. She asked for “Big Papi” to move out of their Miami mansion and turn over his financial records.
After 19 years of marriage, Tiffany and David Ortiz are splitting up. pic.twitter.com/PW8ort369L
— Boston Strong (@BostonStrong_34) December 13, 2021
Last December, David Ortiz and his wife Tiffany revealed that they were getting a divorce after 25 years of marriage. Tiffany was the first to file way back in December 2020; then David Ortiz filed his petition for divorce in January 2021.
“Over the past 25 years, David and I have shared a beautiful adventure in love and partnership,” Tiffany wrote on Instagram. “We have made the decision to go into a new phase of our life journey together, not as a couple, but as friends and co-parents to our amazing children.”
Made It Official
According to court documents, Tiffany Ortiz recently filed a motion against David, requesting a hearing to understand David’s finances and assets. She also asked that David vacate the couple’s South Florida mansion.
“Super congratulations DO! Proud of you @davidortiz. Well deserved. It’s been a hell of a ride,” she wrote.
She also demanded David sit for a videotaped deposition to answer his income and assets questions. According to reports, David Ortiz has earned over $160 million during the 16 seasons he played in the Major Leagues.
Ortiz has been through a lot in his legendary career and although all roads led to the Hall of Fame, the deterioration of his marriage and almost his life all happened at the same time.
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