David Ortiz Addresses Positive 2003 Test

Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz held a press conference on Saturday morning to address the positive 2003 test. Ortiz answered most of the reporters' questions in both Spanish and English. Some of the highlights of the conference were that Ortiz started off apologizing to the fans, his teammates, and manager Terry Francona, for the distraction that he has set for the team. He also said that he never bought or used steroids in his career. Ortiz also thinks that legal supplements and vitamins he bought over the counter were the reason that he tested positive in the first place. He also said that all the supplements and vitamins that he bought were legal at the time.

The New York Times originally reported earlier this week that David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez were two of the 104 names that had tested positive for performing-enhancing drugs (PED's), back in 2003. Many in the baseball world were shocked about Ortiz since he had never tested positive before. Ortiz said that he had nothing to hide and would hold a press conference, to address all the matters. The tests were supposed to be done anonymously and the names were not supposed to be leaked out. Some of the other big names that have been leaked out so far have been Alex Rodriguez and Sammy Sosa. Only a handful of names have been released, and most of the list is still unknown. There were no penalties in 2003 if a MLB player had done steroids or used PED's. The penalties came into effect in the 2004 season.

Members of Major League Baseball and the Players Association were also present at the press conference. A spokesman from both, who sat next to Big Papi, confused the matter even more, when he said that there were at least eight players, from the 104-person-list, who did not test positive for steroids. It is unclear whether Ortiz was one of the eight people on that list. The spokesman also said that there is still doubt in whether the 96 players, actually tested positive, and that they are being contested by the player's union.

In the past, Ortiz has denied ever using steroids or PED's, and thinks that other players deserve a longer ban from baseball if they get caught. Ortiz has said that he thinks that baseball should change their first-time use policy from a 10-game suspension, to being banned from baseball the entire season. He also thinks that if a baseball player gets caught a second time, they should be banned from baseball for the rest of their career.

Ortiz did not reveal much in the press conference and it seemed that he did not tell everything that he knew. But Ortiz did the right thing to go public and hold a press conference. Manny Ramirez, former teammate of Ortiz's, has ignored the whole issue and won't even address his positive test.