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.
