David Ortiz Defends John Henry Amid Red Sox’s Struggling Season

At his David Ortiz Soiree of Hearts charity golf event in Newton, Massachusetts, Ortiz told the Associated Press that Red Sox owner John Henry is concerned about the team’s direction. Ortiz said he recently spoke with Henry, who, together with chairman Tom Werner, is working to improve the franchise.

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Boston entered the 2025 season with a 25-33 record, last in the AL East and twelve games behind the Tampa Bay Rays. The club, a four-title World Series champion between 2004 and 2018, finished the prior year with 89 wins; projections put it on pace for about 69 victories.

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John Henry, who bought the Red Sox with Tom Werner in 2002, owns Liverpool FC. The Red Sox dismissed manager Alex Cora and five coaches in April; former Triple-A manager Chad Tracy now serves as interim manager. Ortiz, a three-time champion, remains a media analyst.

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Ortiz said Henry’s composure may hide his involvement, describing him as “very professional” who “manages his emotions really well.” He added that Henry wants to “figure out the formula to go back to the old days.” No direct comment from Henry or the Red Sox front office was recorded.

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Fans flew a plane over Fenway with a banner urging ownership to sell the team. Critics called Henry’s earlier remark about not buying a drink after a championship tone-deaf given the current record. Negative perception persists despite acquisitions of pitchers Sonny Gray, Ranger Suárez and catcher Willson Contreras.

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Ortiz’s remarks are the only insight into Henry’s concerns; the owner has not spoken publicly since the 2020 Mookie Betts trade, and the Red Sox have not issued an official response to fan protests. Details of any strategic plan remain unverified.

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• “He's worried.” — David Ortiz, Hall of Famer

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• “When you worry, you worry about everything in general. You worry about the team, you worry about the fans and you worry about how everything is moving around,” — David Ortiz, Hall of Famer

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• “I sat down to talk to John, and he wants to figure it out. He wants to have the formula to go back to the old days,” — David Ortiz, Hall of Famer

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• “It's not like he just gives up. Sometimes people don't understand that the way that this game goes, that it's hard to stay up there.” — David Ortiz, Hall of Famer

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Interim manager Chad Tracy will lead the team while the front office evaluates roster moves. Upcoming games against division rivals will test whether the ownership’s “formula” can reverse the current trajectory before the season ends.

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