Key Highlights
- David Ortiz revealed he cursed Toronto Blue Jays’ slugger Addison Barger after declining his “MY DAWG” shirt.
- Barger rejected the shirt in Game 1, but accepted it during a subsequent game against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
- The incident occurred during Fox Sports coverage of the World Series.
Incident During World Series Coverage
During the post-game show of Game 1 of the World Series, Hall of Famer David Ortiz handed his “MY DAWG” shirt to Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith. However, this was not the first time the shirt had been given out; in a previous game, Ortiz tried to give Barger the shirt but was declined.
Ortiz’s revelation came during an interview on Fox Sports’ broadcast of the World Series, where he mentioned that Barger went 0-for-4 after rejecting the shirt. “Hey the last time I tried to give out this shirt, he didn’t take it,” Ortiz said. “I cursed him and he went 0-for-4 tonight.”
Background on Addison Barger
Addison Barger is a versatile outfielder for the Toronto Blue Jays. Known for his ability to play both third base and right field, Barger often steps in wherever needed during the playoffs. In Game 1 of the World Series, he contributed significantly with a standout performance despite not being the starting player.
Manager John Schneider decided to use Barger as a pinch hitter, which led to him hitting the first pinch-hit grand slam in World Series history. Despite his impressive performance, Barger’s refusal of Ortiz’s gift caught media attention and sparked a curious narrative surrounding the “MY DAWG” shirt.
Reflections on the Incident
Barger provided his reasoning for declining the shirt: “It has Red Sox on it. I’m not wearing that. Are you kidding me?” His statement highlights the team rivalries that often exist in sports, even among players who can share a sense of camaraderie.
Ortiz’s claim about Barger’s performance after declining the gift remains unsubstantiated by other sources; however, it has certainly added an interesting layer to the narrative surrounding this World Series event. The “MY DAWG” shirt incident serves as a reminder of how small gestures can be interpreted in various ways and can quickly turn into memorable moments within the context of high-stakes games like the World Series.
