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Ortiz reflects on texting-while-walking accident

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Rangers pitcher Joseph Ortiz has learned a new lesson: Don't walk across a busy boulevard while texting.

Ortiz was doing just that when he was hit by a motorcycle believed to be going 55 mph last month in Venezuela. Ortiz suffered a broken left foot and underwent surgery on Jan. 31. He is in Rangers camp, but getting around on a scooter and is expected to be out until at least May.

"I think I was very lucky," Ortiz said. "I've seen people run over and die from this. I was lucky. I was crossing the street and I had my telephone with me and I was texting. I wasn't paying attention. I was paying attention to my telephone. All of a sudden a motorcycle came around the corner and hit me. The wheel ran over my foot."

Ortiz said there was a traffic sign at the intersection, but apparently the motorcycle driver ignored it.

"It's not like over here where people obey the law," Ortiz said. "Over there, people ignore the law and do what they want."

T.R. Sullivan is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Postcards from Elysian Fields, and follow him on Twitter @Sullivan_Ranger.
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