Yahoo Finance David Ortiz opens up on family's coronavirus battle: 'Man, this is no joke'
David Ortiz delivered surprising news while making a brief appearance on NESN’s broadcast of Friday’s Boston Red Sox-New York Yankees game: He recently tested positive for COVID-19.
Ortiz, 44, revealed he was asymptomatic and is now clear after a series of negative tests. However, his brother has had a tougher time overcoming the virus after losing 25 pounds and spending a week in the hospital.
Here’s what Ortiz had to say:
"Man, this is no joke. You don't realize how crazy this is until it hits home"
David Ortiz on his experience after him and his brother test positive for COVID-19...#RedSox | https://t.co/sl8J2jXXRR pic.twitter.com/ZmCptkcciq— NESN (@NESN) September 19, 2020
"I just got my last test Thursday, thank God I tested negative," Ortiz said. "I had it asymptomatic, so it wasn't that bad. My brother had it really bad. He had to be in the hospital for about a week. He had to lose like 25 pounds. Man, this is no joke. You don't realize how crazy this is until it hits home. I learned so much about this COVID-19 while I was going through the process."
It’s a startling revelation considering everything Ortiz has gone through over the past 15 months.
Ortiz is believed to be at a higher risk of experiencing complications from COVID-19 after he was shot in the torso last June in a Dominican Republic bar. Ortiz spent several weeks in the hospital and endured multiple serious operations, but has since made a remarkable recovery.
Ortiz or “Big Papi,” as he’s affectionately known, retired from MLB following the 2016 season. He finished his 20-year career with 541 home runs and quite a Hall of Fame case despite spending the majority of his career as a designated hitter. He’ll be first eligible for the Hall of Fame ballot following the 2021 season.
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