David Ortiz Denies Ties to Gambler Who Regularly Bet on Baseball

Former Red Sox slugger David Ortiz has denied knowing a gambler who was banned from Major League Baseball games due to his excessive betting on the game.

Eddie Dominguez, a former member of Major League Baseball’s Department of Investigations and a Boston police officer has released a book detailing the allegations.

“Baseball Cop: The Dark Side of America’s National Pastim" makes the claim that the gambler, known as “Monga” was a regular member of Ortiz’s entourage.

From Yahoo Sports:

Dominguez doesn’t accuse Ortiz of placing bets, but claims that the issue prompted a meeting between himself, Ortiz, Red Sox manager Terry Francona and MLB head of security Kevin Hallinan.

“To be clear, I had no proof that Ortiz was placing bets through Monga — or had ever done so — but Monga, who was hanging around the clubhouse, was betting thousands of dollars against the Red Sox,” Dominguez wrote.

“ ’I don’t know what you’re talking about,’ he said,” Dominguez wrote of Ortiz’s response to his allegations in the meeting.

Dominguez also claims he had Immigration arrest "Monga" at Ortiz's home in 2007.

For his part, Ortiz vehemently denied the allegations.

“MLB do a hell of a job letting us know as a player the importance of NOT betting on baseball…especially after pete rose,” Ortiz wrote. “I have been a player that has been extremely blessed…not only with the love of the fans, but also with lots of $$$. And im SMART ENOUGH to not get caught in some BS like that….trust me!!!”

- Jagajeet Chiba, Gambling911.com