The Ortiz Fallout

Upon hearing the news that David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez were named in the 2003 testing as positives yesterday, I was surprised. Not surprised at the fact that Ortiz was finally named, but that I felt virtually nothing about it. I wasn't mad, I wasn't sad, not even slighted. Ortiz has been my Red Sox hero ever since he joined the team. The big smile, glowing personality and openness with the fans and media. His contributions to the '04 and '07 championship teams were crucial to the success of the Red Sox. He is the only player whose jersey I own in Major League Baseball.

Yet I did not feel betrayed. Ortiz seemed to lead up to this in his book "Big Papi," claiming he never did steroids but that many Dominican players take things in their country that would otherwise be illegal in America. He claimed they are just ignorant as to what they are taking. The only problem with this claim now is that by 2003 Ortiz had been playing in MLB since 1997. No excuses.

His power numbers increased every year from 2000 when he hit 10 HR until 2006 when he slugged 54 HR. These numbers are now all brought into question. Unfortunately, because of the relative secrecy of drug testing in baseball, negative tests are never published, nor do fans know how many times a certain player has been tested throughout a season, or if they are tested at all. Therefore, it is even hard to assume that post-2003 when testing became law in baseball, Ortiz is still not in the clear.

The worst part is that Ortiz has stated numerous times that he has never even dabbled in steroids. Which is yet another numbing statement at this point, because it echoes Alex Rodriguez and Manny Ramirez, both of whom said the exact same thing. Baseball players have lost all credibility, and Ramirez and Ortiz this season are the best example of this loss of trust. These two players were beloved virtually everywhere they went (except Yankee Stadium). Two loose, fun-loving guys that appeared to be representatives for the lighter side of the game. The side that still embraced the fans and remembered that at the end of the day, baseball was just a game. That two is now partially lost.

As for tainting the Red Sox two World Series titles? Well, those titles are no more tainted than any of the Yankee titles during their run. Or any title in the past 20 years for that matter. Steroid and PEDs have been present in baseball for longer than anyone is willing to admit and are unfortunately part of the game at this point.

I just wish that they didn't have to be part of David Ortiz's legacy.

Farewell, Air McNair

The tragic loss of Steve McNair has had me stuck for days, thinking about its untimeliness. At such a young age, McNair was poised to become a quarterbacks coach, or at the very least, a familiar face on the sidelines of Tennessee Titan games.

There may not have been a more humble quarterback to play the game in his time, coming from Division I-AA Alcorn State to the Oilers first pick in 1995. He made the transition from scrambler to pocket passer, as defenses beat the scramble out of his legs. The guy sustained and played through more injuries than any player I've ever seen. He was the Rocky Balboa of the NFL, you might knock him out for a season, but he'll get right back up and hit you with the right hook in the jaw next season.

He engineered the Music City Musical and then in typical McNair lore fashion, lost the Super Bowl on the very last play, as his receiver could not stretch his arms any farther, falling one yard short of a title.

McNair may never have been a Hall of Fame NFL player, but his never-give-up attitude and love for the game will always reserve a special place in the minds and hearts of the fans and players who were fortunate enough to see him play.

2 Months In - Surprises

SP Edwin Jackson: This slightly forgotten former Ray has been arguably the ace of the staff for Detroit so far this season. With 5 wins, a 2.30 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP, Jackson has become a nice 1-2 punch paired with Justin Verlander. The only knock on him so far is that he has an 0-2 record against perrenial playoff contenders (NYY, MIN, LAA). He'll have to beat some better teams before he can be declared a true force on the mound.

2B Orlando Hudson: Wasn't this guy looking for work in February? A gold glover without a team until the Dodgers picked him up to be a backup. Well, his backup role was scrapped as soon as he began swinging the bat. Hudson is playing like a man with a veangance, batting .331 with 31 RBIs and 38 R. If he can keep this up, he'll blow away his previous career highs in almost all of his offensive categories. He only needs 10 more RBIs to surpass last years total.

SS Miguel Tejada: Currently on a 15 game hitting streak and picking up RBIs seemingly every other game, Tejada looks to be in his 20s again. Perhaps he has finally put all of the age and steroid allegations behind him and reinvested all of his focus back into playing baseball. While I have my doubts that the 35 (or 36, 37?) year-old can keep up his current pace (.353 BA, 5 HR, 29 RBI, 28 R) he has given Houston fans reason to believe he was worth signing last year.

3B Andy LaRoche: The younger LaRoche was questioned as to whether he had the talent to be an everyday player in the bigs. Everyone seems to have forgotten a few years ago when he was the next big thing to come out of the Dodgers organization. He has come along nicely in the last month, batting .304 with 25 RBI and 19 R for the season. Look for him to be an All Star next season and possibly trade bait with the perennially terrible Pirates.

Opening Week

Opening Day is upon us once again, and the spring has finally arrived. What better way for the Sox to begin their season than to revisit 2008's end. The Rays are the real deal, and the Sox will be looking for revenge in the friendly confines of Fenway. No longer is an Opening Day matchup with the Rays viewed as an automatic win. These young pups have seen a World Series and lost...which means they're hungry for more.

Josh Beckett will be pitching his first ever season opener for the Sox, and Jason Bay will be in his first opener as well. The Fenway crowd is bound to be electric, as the Sox have returned from their ALCS game 7 loss reloaded and full of new arms. This season eerily reminds me of the 2004 season, which was highlighted by the signing of grizzled veteran Curt Schilling. The Sox signed Smoltz and Penny, who are no Schilling, but Smoltz is the greatest post-season pitcher of all time.

So getcha popcorn ready and crank up the lights on Yawkey Way, we're in this for the long haul.