Former Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine says David Ortiz "decided not to play anymore"

Former Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine and DH David Ortiz back him in happier times. Valentine says Ortiz essentially quit on the team after coming off the DL. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Now that former Boston Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine is out of a job, he is wasting no time telling his side of the story about his one year with the team.

Speaking on NBC Sports Network Costas Tonight,Valentine says that many people are to blame for the Red Sox's horrible season, including designated hitter David Ortiz.

"David Ortiz came back after spending about six weeks on the disabled list and we thought it was only going to be a week. He got two hits the first two times up, drove in a couple runs; we were off to the races. Then he realized that this trade meant that we’re not going to run this race and we’re not even going to finish the race properly and he decided not to play anymore. I think at that time it was all downhill from there."