David Ortiz says he never knowingly took steroids

Red Sox slugger David Ortiz opens up about positive steroid test

In 2009, it was revealed that Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz was one of 100 names on a supposedly anonymous list of players who tested positive for steroids or other performance-enhancing drugs in 2003. Back then, these substances were not against MLB rules, however, the leaked names on that list will forever be tainted in the eyes of many fans.

More from Boston Red Sox

Ortiz, the 39-year-old slugger, opened up about the positive test and how it’s affected him in an essay for the Players’ Tribune, saying he “never knowingly” took steroids or anything against the rules. He wrote:

"To this day, nobody has any answers for me. Nobody can tell me what I supposedly tested positive for. They say they legally can’t, because the tests were never supposed to be public.Let me tell you something. Say whatever you want about me — love me, hate me. But I’m no bullshitter. I never knowingly took any steroids. If I tested positive for anything, it was for something in pills I bought at the damn mall. If you think that ruins everything I have done in this game, there is nothing I can say to convince you different."

Ortiz also opened up about peoples’ reactions to his positive test, and how it has negatively affected his perception:

"Some people still look at me like I’m a cheater because my name was on a list of players who got flagged for PEDs in 2003. Let me tell you something about that test. Most guys were taking over-the-counter supplements then. Most guys are still taking over-the-counter supplements. If it’s legal, ballplayers take it. Why? Because if you make it to the World Series, you play 180 games."

The full essay is interesting; it’s no-holds-barred and seems very honest and forthright. Ortiz truly doesn’t see himself as a cheater.

Now we’ve heard plenty of denials from alleged steroid users in MLB, ranging from Rafael Palmeiro wagging his finger at Congress to Sammy Sosa pretending he didn’t speak English. Ortiz’s essay is one of the few that feels truly forthright. He says he took supplements that weren’t illegal at the time, and he believes he shouldn’t be considered a cheater for trying to be better at his craft.

Should Ortiz and others on the list be barred from Hall of Fame consideration, as some writers believe? Suspected steroid users have had no luck with the Hall of Fame voters thus far. Will Ortiz be any different? Time will tell.

(h/t Players’ Tribune)

More from FanSided

Home/Boston Red Sox