Big Papi is back!
David Ortiz vowed he'd be back in his first remarks after he was shot June 9 in his native Dominican Republican, and on Sunday, he posted the first pictures of himself on Instagram since the shooting that sent shock waves through Red Sox Nation.
The photos posted Sunday show the former Boston designated hitter and his wife Tiffany smiling next to their daughter Alex, a first-year student at the Berklee College of Music. The Ortiz family appears to be in Alex's Boston dorm room.
"A life experience take place on us dropping off one of my kids at college..... good luck with everything and remember ' to be great you have to bring the best out of you everyday' lov you....mom & dad!!!" the proud dad captioned the post.
The former Red Sox slugger has been laying low while recovering at his home, where he reportedly has been monitored by nurses and his personal doctor.
Ortiz, 43, underwent emergency surgery in the D.R. before being flown to Boston to receive further care at Massachusetts General Hospital. He underwent three surgeries before being released from MGH on July 26.
Local
In-depth news coverage of the Greater Boston Area.
Authorities in the Dominican Republic have said Ortiz was not the intended target of the hitman who shot him. Instead, they say it was Sixto David Fernandez, who was seated next to Ortiz at a Santo Domingo bar.
The Red Sox legend remains a beloved figure in Boston and beyond. He retired in 2017 after leading the team to three World Series championships and his number, 34, was retired shortly after. He also has a bridge and a stretch of road outside Fenway Park named after him.
