Papi Speaks out Against Users

The latest person to throw their two cents in to solve the problem of steroid use in baseball is non other than Red Sox slugger David Ortiz. Following the opinion of White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen, Ortiz also believes players who test positive for steroid use should be suspended for one entire season. Within the current MLB drug policy players who test positive once are subject to a 50 day suspension, followed by a 100 day suspension for a 2nd positive, and a lifetime ban for a 3rd positive test.

Ortiz coming out and calling for a one year suspension for steroid users is not the real story here. We’ve heard things like this ever since steroid use became such a problem in the game. From former and current players, the media, and the government, everyone’s been suggesting a number of solutions. The real issue with Ortiz is what happens if his name is on the infamous ‘list of 104’? Would he actually admit to his mistake, or better yet, voluntarily sit out an entire season? Obviously, because he has been one of the best hitters in the game and because he only became consistently productive after 2002, there will always be suspicions of steroid use.

As long as his name remains clean, with maybe 5 more productive seasons, he should merit a place in the Hall of Fame. However, if it does come to light he did use steroids, or was even associated with a steroid supplier, his numbers on the field will mean nothing. Especially after his one year ban proposal, I’d be surprised if Ortiz even got 5% of the votes for the Hall. I hope for his sake he has been clean, because if his numbers are tainted, his image will never recover. One question remains though if it surfaces that he did use. Would Ortiz dare set foot on the field of New Yankee Stadium and face the wrath of 50,000+ Yankee faithful? I guess he wouldn’t have a choice, and it would be very interesting to see.

-Robb Lennahan