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THE THREE-TIME WORLD SERIES CHAMPION, WIDELY KNOWN AS BIG PAPI, RECOVERING AFTER BEING AMBUSHED AT A NIGHTCLUB. ABC NEWS REVEALING THAT HE WAS SHOT ONCE IN THE BLACK. THE SUSPECT FLED ON MOTORCYCLE, BUT HE DID NOT GET FAR, OVER TAKEN OUTSIDE THE CLUB. ONE OF THE DOCTORS TOLD EPN ON THE WAY TO THE OPERATING ROOM, THE CHAMP SAID" DON’T LET ME DIE. I AM A GOOD MAN." HIS FATHER TELLING REPORTERS THAT BIG PAPI WILL BE AROUND FOR LONG TIME. ALEX RODRIGUEZ SAYING -- ANXIOUSLY AWAITING MORE NEWS. IN THE MEANTIME, ONLY PRAYERS FOR DAVID ORTIZ. PEDRO MARTINEZ GETTING EMOTIO

Advertisement 'Big Papi' David Ortiz in stable condition after being shot in Dominican Republic, agent says Ortiz recovering after shooting

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"Big Papi" David Ortiz is in stable condition after being wounded in a shooting Sunday in his home country, according to the former Boston Red Sox slugger's agent, Fernando Cuza. Ortiz, 43, was ambushed by a man who got off a motorcycle and shot him in the back at nearly point-blank range Sunday night in his native Dominican Republic, authorities said.Dominican National Police Director Ney Aldrin Bautista Almonte said Ortiz was at the Dial Bar and Lounge in Santo Domingo at 8:50 p.m. when the gunman approached from behind and shot him. Ortiz was taken to a medical facility where he underwent surgery, and his condition was stable, Bautista said.ESPN reported that the surgery lasted six hours, and a team of surgeons had to remove part of Ortiz's intestines and colon and his gallbladder. Ortiz also suffered liver damage, ESPN reported. Dionisio Soldevila, a reporter from the Dominican Republic who hosts a radio show with ESPN's Enrique Rojas, told ESPN he spoke with the doctor who first treated Ortiz and was told Ortiz was shot in the lower back and that the bullet went through his body. According to Soldevila, Ortiz told his doctors, "Please don't let me die. I'm a good man."Police identified the gunman as 25-year-old Eddy Vladimir Feliz Garcia, according to Frank Félix Durán, a spokesman for the Dominican Republic National Police.The alleged gunman was captured and beaten by a crowd of people at the bar, Bautista said. The Dominican Republic National Health Services said the person suffered a cranium contusion, trauma to his thorax, trauma to his knee and leg. He was treated at Darío Contreras Hospital and then transferred to police custody.Investigators are trying to determine whether Ortiz was the intended target, Bautista said. Jhoel López, a Dominican TV host, was with Ortiz when he was shot. Bautista said López was also wounded, apparently by the same bullet.David Ortiz’s father, Leo Ortiz, told reporters gathered at Dominican Republic clinic that his son was resting after surgery and that no organs were affected by the bullet. He said the doctors anticipate a full recovery.Ortiz, who lives at least part of the year in the Dominican, is often seen getting his cars washed and hanging out with friends including other baseball players, artists and entertainers.The Dial Bar and Lounge is located in eastern Santo Domingo on Venezuela Avenue, a bustling nightlife district packed with dance clubs and pricey bars that Ortiz is known to frequent."We have offered David’s family all available resources to aid in his recovery and will continue to keep them in our hearts," the Boston Red Sox said in a statement. Ortiz played for Boston for 14 of his 20 major league seasons and was a beloved leader of the Red Sox team. He hit 541 career home runs, was a 10-time All-Star and was a three-time World Series champion.His number was retired by the team in 2017. A street and a bridge near Fenway Park are both named after him. In addition to his success on the field, Ortiz was a leader in the city. His defiant message in the days after the Boston Marathon bombings inspired the community."This is our (expletive) city. And nobody is going to dictate our freedom,” he said. Ortiz continues to be a prominent and charitable figure in the region. Through outreach, education and support for medical care, his David Ortiz Children's Fund is committed to enhancing the health and well-being of children who require lifesaving heart operations.He recently received an honorary degree from Regis College and was scheduled to be the special guest Wednesday at the annual 5 for Ellie fashion show. The Associated Press contributed to this report.