LOS ANGELES: Former Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz, thanking fans for their prayers and good wishes, said Monday he's happy to be with family seven weeks after he was shot in his native Dominican Republic.
"Being at home and look at my family celebrating that I'm here safe is priceless," Ortiz said in an Instagram post that featured photos of a feast of steak, pasta and fish being prepared.
"Too bad I can't crush food yet!!!!" added Ortiz, who was shot on June 9 as he sat in a nightclub in his hometown of Santo Domingo.
The retired Major League Baseball star had emergency surgery that night and was then flown to a Boston area hospital for further surgery and treatment, finally leaving hospital on Friday.
The investigation of the shooting continues, but authorities in the Dominican Republic said Ortiz was shot in a case of mistaken identity.
In a separate statement released through a public relations firm, the 43-year-old thanked the Red Sox for providing the club's plane to fly him to Boston and for their continued support during treatment for serious injuries.
He also thanked the fans of "Red Sox Nation" and supporters in the Dominican Republic who have offered their support and prayers.
"Big Papi will be back soon," he said in the statement.
Former Boston Red Sox star David Ortiz happy to be home after surviving shooting
Former Boston Red Sox star David Ortiz happy to be home after surviving shooting
- The retired Major League Baseball star had emergency surgery
- The investigation of the shooting continues
Preparations intensify for the Hail Toyota International Baja
- Lineup underscores the rally’s growing stature on the regional and global motorsport calendar
- Route passes through the Great Nafud Desert, one of the region’s most distinctive natural landscapes
HAIL: With just seven days remaining until the start, attention across the motorsport and rally community is turning to Hail, as preparations intensify for the Hail Toyota International Baja, scheduled to take place from Jan 28–31.
The rally is organized by the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation, under the supervision of the Ministry of Sport, in cooperation with the Hail Region Emirate and the Hail Region Development Authority. Jameel Motorsport is the official partner, alongside the Saudi Motorsport Marshals Club.
This year’s edition brings together a strong slate of international and regional championships, including the FIA World Baja Cup, the FIA Middle East Baja Cup, the FIM World Baja Cup and the FIM Asia Baja Cup, in addition to the opening round of the Saudi Toyota Baja Championship. The lineup underscores the rally’s growing stature on the regional and global motorsport calendar.
Competitors will face demanding conditions, with the rally staged amid Hail’s cold winter climate and across varied terrain. The route passes through the Great Nafud Desert, one of the region’s most distinctive natural landscapes, known for its towering dunes, expansive golden sands and technically challenging tracks that demand high levels of driving skill and navigational precision.
The rally program features broad participation across multiple categories and consists of three competitive stages. Action begins with a prologue covering 35 kilometers, including a 6-kilometer timed special stage. This is followed by the first stage spanning 417 kilometers, with 245 kilometers against the clock, before the second and final stage over 323 kilometers, including a 151-kilometer timed section.
Alongside the sporting action, the 2026 Hail Toyota International Baja will offer a comprehensive program of accompanying activities, providing an integrated experience for visitors and residents alike. The program combines sport, entertainment and community engagement, contributing to increased tourism and economic activity in the Hail region.
