Not So Deep Thoughts: Shocker from MLB IDs Manny and Papi as cheaters
Posted by Tuff Stuff
 Just when you think you can't get caught any more off guard than hearing about Brett Favre's 180-degree wish-wash comes today's announcement that David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez were named on the list of steroid users from MLB's once-confidential list from 2003. This report continues to be leaked out to the media, with the NY Times making the latest claims.
The idea that Manny would show up on the list is nothing new. Most of us new of his guilt before his 50-game suspension early in the season, but Big Papi is a whole another story. For Ortiz, it was simply a matter of time before his past caught up with him and for all those who continued to support his innocence because he was never named on any previous lists, all I can say is "I told you so."
I guess it was because of the nickname. Or perhaps it was his teddy bear persona magnified by that captivating smile that kept many from believing he could have been one of the many cheaters, but c'mon people. A quick look at his HR totals from earlier this decade should've set off the alarms, but then again, it's hard to believe all of the heresay when the suspected cheater makes the type of comments Papi did. Earlier this season, Ortiz blasted MLB officials for making the new steroid policy too lenient. He wanted a year suspension instead of the 50 games that Manny got and although the policy remained intact despite Ortiz's public outcry, I think they should make a rare exception and give Papi what Papi wants. Bye, see ya in 2010. If you think I'm being overly critical, read Ortiz's comments below from February and get back to me.
(From February 17, 2009)
FORT MYERS, Fla. -- David Ortiz wants players who test positive for steroids to be suspended from baseball for a year instead of the current 50-game penalty. Taking
players to court, though, for cases involving use of the substances
before players were subject to penalty is not the way to clean up the
game, the Boston Red Sox designated hitter said Monday (Feb. 17, 2009).
"I would suggest everybody get tested, not random, everybody," he
said. "You go team by team. You test everybody three, four times a year
and that's about it." And if a player tests positive for steroids? "Ban 'em for the whole year," the slugger said. The
current penalties are a 50-game suspension for a player who tests
positive once, 100 games for a second positive test for the same player
and a lifetime ban for a third positive test, though a player can seek
to return after two years. Don't mean to get all Jeff Foxworthy on you but... When your HR totals double from 20 in 2002 to 41 in 2004 before maxing out at 54 in 2006, You're probably on steroids. When you hit 54 homers in 2006 and can barely get the ball out of the infield for most of the season just three years later and shortly after a new steroid policy is implemented, Your probably on steroids. If you come out and publicly condem MLB's current drug policy in the midst of accusations of your own steroid use, You're probably on steroids. I guess Papi's condeming comments were an attempt to throw the dogs off or maybe he just denied using so many times with little effect that he felt he had to take it up a notch. Or perhaps he believes in the old George Costanza line of thinking: "It's not a lie if you believe it." Whatever it was, all it is now is another MLB star being outed as an imposter. And for somebody who hasn't been believing his BS for years, it's long overdue.
Thursday, July 30, 2009 8:57:43 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00) 
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