David Ortiz begged for doctors to save his life after he was shot in the Dominican Republic capital of Santo Domingo.
The ex-Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins hero was initially reported to have been shot in the leg following a robbery attempt in Dial's Disco.
But later versions of events claimed it was more serious and that he had actually been shot in the back, with the bullet exiting through his stomach.
After he was rushed to the Comprehensive Medican Center hospital it was reported that he told a doctor: "Please don't let me die. I'm a good man."
The center put out an urgent appeal for B+ type blood, and asked people to come forward to make a donation to help Ortiz.
A TV presenter was also wounded in the incident and the gunman was arrested. Footage on Twitter also appeared to show him being beaten by pedestrians following the incident.
There was an outpouring of support for Ortiz- nicknamed Big Papi- on Twitter after the news first broke.
One tweeted: "I swear to God if someone takes David Ortiz away from me I’m gonna go ballistic. Please Big Papi. You can pull through."
Diane Pats wrote: "Prayers for David Ortiz he was shot in the leg in the attempted robbery in the Dominican Republic is suspect has been arrested!
"C'Mon Bruins win this for Big Papi!"
Ortiz played 20 seasons in total in the NBL. During his 14 seasons with the Red Sox he was an All-Star ten times and a three-time World Series Champion.
