Baseball, Big Papi and Drugs -- Say it Ain't So

Our beloved pastime, our iconic sports creation, baseball, seems to be getting more tainted every month or so. The list of superstar sluggers and heroes we revere continue to get added to the list of those linked to performance-enhancing drugs. This year, we have added three amazing superstars- Alex Rodrigues, Manny Ramirez, and now.......please say it ain't so!......Big Papi?

Please say no! It cannot be! His story is too good...too wonderful...too inspiring!

David "Big Papi" Ortiz is the lovable, superhero superstar Boston Red Sox slugger who along with Manny Ramirez led the Sox to two World Series titles, in 2004 and 2007. He is the larger-than-life hero, one of the absolute good guys- actually a great guy- who does charity work and inspires millions all over the world.

He is the literally iconic hero from the Dominican Republic, let go by the Twins but resurrected with the Red Sox....leading the Red Sox to their first World Title since 1918 and ending the well-known Red Sox Title drought.

We've seen some stars linked to drugs that we did not have much sympathy for- guys who perhaps have that ego we do not like. But Big Papi- we all like him.

Somehow, we the baseball fan hold out hope that more of our heroes and idols will not get mixed up in this Steroid Era. We have to believe. Baseball is part of our psyche, our DNA. Baseball is our field of dreams......

We hope....that Albert Pujols, Ken Griffey, Jim Thome and a host of other stars will remain innocent.....But with the fall of Big Papi, who is next?

Yes, baseball is our national game, our field of dreams...where little leaguers and big leaguers alike live out their fantasies....that expansive, beautiful field and park where we can all go for a few hours to enjoy and escape and dream....

Only now, that dream just seems a little more tainted, a little more blemished.