Big Papi takes media to task for beanball

Bad blood and beanballs are an expected part of the Boston Red Sox-New York Yankees rivalry. But after getting plunked Thursday, David Ortiz didn't point a finger at the Yankees.

The Boston slugger unexpectedly blamed the media for the incident because of a reported statistic that he had never gotten hit by a pitch against the Yankees, according to the Boston Herald.

Yankees left-hander CC Sabathia drilled Ortiz on the thigh with a 97 mph fastball in the fourth inning. Ortiz smiled as he walked to first base. After the game, he was in a foul mood.

"I want to thank you guys -- not all of you, most of you -- for the stat today of me not getting hit by the Yankees," Ortiz said to the media. "Finally got hit. Hope you (expletives) are happy."

Ortiz should have been happier. The Red Sox won the game 8-3 to improve to 8-1 in the rivalry this season. He homered in Boston wins Tuesday and Wednesday.

Asked where he got hit, the Herald reported Ortiz as saying, "I don't give a (expletive). It doesn't matter. Too late. You guys like to criticize us when we (expletive) up. Criticize yourself now."

Sabathia's pitch could have simply been a retaliatory move, after Boston's Josh Beckett hit Derek Jeter in the first inning.

But something similar happened in 2003. After the media reported that Red Sox pitcher Pedro Martinez had never body slammed Yankees coach Don Zimmer, Martinez went out and tossed Zimmer like a rag doll. Zimmer also blamed the media.

■ THE 'WHINY BUNCH' -- Charles Barkley, TNT broadcaster and former NBA star, has repeatedly ripped the Miami Heat during the playoffs. He was at it again Wednesday on ESPN Radio in Chicago.

"Listen, if the Miami Heat were playing the Washington Generals, I would pick the Washington Generals," Barkley said. "It's something about that team that annoys me. They just a whiny bunch, and I can't root for them."

Barkley would be wise not to bet on the Generals. But there is a good chance they could hold LeBron James scoreless in the fourth quarter.

■ NO SWIMSUIT MODEL -- The portly Barkley recently made a bet with a Miami radio host: If the Dallas Mavericks lose the NBA Finals, Barkley will wear a Speedo on South Beach.

There's another good reason to root for the Mavericks.

■ BET ON AUBURN -- Former North Carolina State quarterback Russell Wilson, who has graduated, has the option to transfer to another college and play immediately. By all reports, he will decide between Auburn and Wisconsin, and it sounds as if he's leaning toward joining the Badgers.

But the Tigers really need Wilson after losing Cam Newton, the top pick in the NFL Draft by Carolina. With Newton gone, Auburn should be back under the salary cap and able to offer Wilson about $200,000.

Then again, if Wilson prefers cars and tattoos, Ohio State is in the market for a quarterback.

COMPILED BY MATT YOUMANS
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL