The fallout on the David Ortiz news

How to Terry Francona put -- panacea opened up his post game press conference yesterday. It hasn't been a boring day it was one of those days. That the Red Sox occasionally have that you know are just the everyday sort of a big media day around there anyway but there's some days that are off the charts. I mean Daisuke Matsuzaka comes out and does the complete man a -- by any gets buried. The Red Sox are in the middle of a trading deadline situation whether there apparently after every big name that it's out there and get married right. -- David Ortiz hits a dramatic three run home run in the seventh inning Red Sox come from behind him. Salvage a split with the Oakland days that gets -- that gets buried and everything gets buried in this town because of one's story. It is all over the front pages of most of the newspapers and.

but you know I think appropriately so I don't know about most in the newspapers in America. I'm -- refute you shores its front page news front page news across sporting America but here. And Boston and in New England it deserves to be the number one story everything else deserves to be on the back burner I understand. And and this is one of those things where. I think there's no debate when it comes to the 2003. Drug test there's no debate whatsoever I failed a test. Very -- we've ever heard of a case ever. In the history of these things where somebody's name is on the list and we come out later and somebody says -- we made a mistake. -- you name should have been on that list he actually didn't fail the tests we've heard a lot of people protest yeah. And today I don't know how this happened or. It was something that. My doctor gave me an error it's something -- body GMC on and on I don't think anybody has ever been vindicated after their name has appeared analyst -- I can't think right one all right so that that that part is not up for debate. David Ortiz cheated and he's gonna have to deal with that and I am in no matter what though -- in -- matter weapon. Is it very good chance. That. Any any kind of problem that you're having at work. Is probably not as bad as David Ortiz -- problem network right now. X pro the debate this where the debate comes -- on I'm not really sure what the right answer is. And and may be David Ortiz has some smart people working for him working with them to help them come up at the right answer how to handle it now now what you do.

Well if you're smart you do the full blown -- at a and analyze it it's somewhat Mo Vaughn he's a bigger deal and -- I don't know this is going to be a bigger deal and that it wise but it's the only option he has. The deny deny -- thing will just be ridiculed from coast to coast. Well you can't deny it.

And if he did Andy Pettitte thing I was with you. Before honestly before listening to the radio this morning so I heard John come out and say. That he thinks his whole careers. Tainted. And that that he the creation they're pretty much. So he said. If that's the case. If there are people out there who have already made up their minds. Before stock. What what benefit do you get from doing and that it may have --

The only benefit you'll get is that if you show contrition and remorse. Have a better chance of having some people who might not be willing to forgive you don't forget I think that's the only. The only down.

But okay but if you come out and tell the true whatever whatever. The truth is you come out and -- it. You're probably. Not gonna get everything you're looking for this varies. Maybe there's a penalty not a penalty maybe there's no benefit for telling the complete truth at this point. Tell the truth -- you should start to on the trip along time ago. -- in 20042005. If somebody asked you have you ever been tempted to take steroids you say yes hell yes a lot of money involved.

That. I hit Tibetan 2007. And and it got upset more with the headline in the story. Did the whole thing with Jackie McMullen -- got all hot and bothered about what the headline implicated. He kindness hint at an. You know all I don't know what I may have taken and shake back in the Dominican I'm not take anything because who knows what I took in my youth he kind of hinted.

I think that the moral of the story is just be honest whenever whenever you are present it with the question be honest at that -- the honesty now is almost too late no matter what he says. And give an example let's say David Ortiz comes out today. And he's going to be in Baltimore had I think 4 o'clock 430 or 45 pressed comes out he says. Absolutely I did my research and I've found. That I tested positive for cars some form of steroid 2003 and I took it. And I took him for an advantage. I was I was still insecure about. Being released by the Minnesota Twins. Was feeling really down on myself and felt like. I was less than a man because had to play behind Jeremy Giambi and they Jason and Jeremy. I -- hi Jeremy you to come on look at all of our troops and -- I absolutely took steroids in 2003. In the beginning of 2004. I took steroids and then. I had some revelation does it mean I cannot stop. I have to. So eyes stopped on June 1 2004. The -- I don't know what the schedule at the Red Sox were playing so upset that. And that day I stopped doing it and haven't done it sets.

Well what a likable exactly most people. I mean that's the true. If you're well it's too late to tell that your. I know that we think we all you know as much as there is an all about everything that. Some at least what happened yesterday left me with more questions than answers first of all David Ortiz called players association. And confirmed. That he did in fact test positive back into 2000 and it is ports. Well so players association notes the 104 names. And not. I mean it it it Ortiz is on that list a 104 names and and some players association notes at. And it element called and asked yesterday. Alas are lessons that the triple that that's what I'm saying there are more questions and answers here. If they know a 104 names at the very least you got a call those 104 people and say listen I'm gonna tell you right now. On that list I don't know it's gonna come out were doing everything we candidate to keep it out or in litigation try to like this but you gotta know you're there. So that as David Ortiz said yesterday doesn't get blind side.

Well I can't remember what Alex at about this Alex Rodriguez. Was Selena Roberts the first person to tell Alex Rodriguez or had -- been told before. That we that we will.

I don't let that out the impression that he had ban. Formal. That he was on the I was under the impression on back to the stuff that happened in February march when. That he had been told. Well that's true okay Ian and Peters said that Peter Gammons said that on sports let's assume that he. About Iraq Iraq so you don't -- man in David Ortiz. And wait many party don't know if Britney so so at some point. The players association when minis in probably contact with them about a suspension and that's -- got to park -- tested once in a positive one.

I think you've gone too far down the road here you're right -- the Gregg a question about David -- we can't assume any hasn't been told me -- didn't really give us everything yesterday. Many say I'm not help but my point many try to insult outweighed him man it's cold okay. Call Ortiz and come here to how much I'm. Just Italian -- and Quayle lists dale you're here the entire time. Many Americans here we're talking about Manny Ramirez. And not try to make fun album I know -- This is exactly who -- as a mean if the guy with five driver's licenses. The guy used to. Do crazy things. Two to hotel rooms on the road -- the guy who would tell David Ortiz I'm gonna -- you know lobby for -- never show up. Amend it's that guy who get all sorts of things that -- bizarre didn't catch jacks though. It inmate in May make a lot of sense to you that he finds out about himself that he would call David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez were talking about so. I can easily see a scenario where Manny Ramirez's told integrity is not.

I'm try to buy your man -- how any player -- Any 125. Players old and not all 104 poll. -- Ortiz is a pretty big star in Major League Baseball who would be a pretty big the Olympic came out there and that is taken sides he may have been lying -- and -- and I. I don't know I'm not taken sides my point is these are questions I have. She told us he called players association yesterday in confirm that he that he tested positive. Have a hard time believing that they know. All the okay so maybe the line well and NB lying about that one else's line about -- at least meet on the road to you know unanswered questions here. Oh look we started yesterday at 1225. And we came on the air and this had just broken. And we told folks out there what the news was -- the -- set almost didn't you listen. The products well well at and most -- you are honest about it it's a mild surprise. Oh the only surprise is that it has come out. None of us are surprised. I'm fairly -- and that there have been these little hints and innuendoes about his numbers in Minnesota followed up by his numbers in Boston.

I can't with executives say that jail because you can't say either look we -- Sat here and at this year this season and I remember looking at that screen there. And trying to get a name of what the callers name again because this person whoever it is has called opens -- and many people caught up and said. David Ortiz. Is a steroid user and we both argued against them because.

This is the reason -- targets at once we know right right so can't make accusations. But let's be truthful okay. We don't say things publicly because it would be unfair to say things publicly privately in the back your mind never thought.

Maybe did something. We mean and it's honest it's like and here.

I looked at the numbers in Minnesota I looked at the numbers and Boston. Yeah I kind of wonder.

It's easy to -- now you said the complete opposite on the Internet.

I can't say on -- relative -- that he took steroids but -- can't -- on the year the numbers make -- wonder that he had this big jump. From Minnesota to Boston and you never set -- on the air I mean so I mean. Don't go about locking yourself and saying oh my god it's at now. The most that there are a lot of people who were not surprised at all okay fine and then there are people. Are some who are surprisingly. --

Some. I'm just gonna ask you -- surprise yesterday I was -- said mildly surprised absolutely surprised for that he took something more than his name came. Both really you surprised that he took some.

Listen -- I've said this before. If you're at the point where you cannot be surprised. By something that happens that comes out Major League Baseball whether it's Manny Ramirez or Alex Rodriguez -- performance performance enhancing drugs. What you're saying is this conversation we're having right now is vote. Because you can't be surprised you shouldn't be outraged that means you have an expectation. That people everybody is doing after expectation you cannot be surprised by slugger. Big carper. WW. You're saying that this is all fun and games. And that you expect Ryan Howard's name come out next you expect Al Albert also named -- at how -- this. It Albert pulls his name comes out I will be surprised if Ryan Howard's name comes out I will be surprised. I don't I don't believe everybody is doing it now you can look back and my reasons -- was nobody in Minnesota it was it was a relief to 27 years old. He he was behind Jeremy Giambi if any set the Red Sox record passing -- home runs. -- always went back to drug testing grade maybe I'm hopeful for believing in the system believing that drug testing works.

But the thing that we always said is there's one substance at least that they couldn't test for the other thing you go back to. And and I know of their questions about this but technically at least at this point. Never flunked a drug test. I think he has I don't. Look we think yes I think that part of that 2003 sample based on what we've been told. That the the -- retested his 2003 sample and said that it showed steroid usage. I don't believe -- well a Major League Baseball drug test right I don't believe. That he -- want to Major League Baseball I don't have to plug drug test but you know he's got I mean evidence for but very -- but that's my point I Oprah -- Barry used you know Barry used. And yet. But the proponent for Barry Bonds it's a -- reflect the current.

bet that but that's just part of an okay you never want to drug tests we agree on that so how about the other stuff how about you know 7525. Documents right right about this this in this -- don't know -- that most of evidence about David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez there's -- Greg Anderson initials next is certain drugs and certain days. Baby on a calendar. Out now on the lab in California so. The fact it didn't fail a drug test is immaterial.

I'll disagree with you on this point I won't be surprised at any. Albert -- Holtz Ken Griffey junior and try to think of the names that that would theoretically surprise people.

Just -- let's get guard anybody has gone let's be unfair about this -- right going to be unfair. Josh Beckett Roy Halladay. Jonathan Papelbon a Mariano Rivera well you back to win the drug testing got stringent. What I really have to say people who were playing. You know prior to 2000 full when the drug testing change dramatically because that's. I -- think a lot of people got scared off in 2004. People who were using in 20030. Wait a minute if the original thinking all right.

kind of knocked on your argument against David Ortiz if you say before -- that people were using before 2004 said wait a minute to David Ortiz say that.

Well no no he didn't well apparently I don't know when he sent it I don't know when he stopped well stop on my point was was more like like Dustin Pedroia for an awesome plane year. In 20032000. -- I don't I don't automatically suspect him. Coupled -- plane in 2003. Josh Beckett was playing in 2003. I tell if anybody that was playing if his name.

capitalist you would not be surprised and I were you surprised by any boundaries no one electable society what is this game you're watching. Why do you like I have no idea what I'm about what you watch it -- why do you why do you. I don't like you watch but I'm saying why do people watching people agree with you why do they go to Fenway Park and keep the sellout streak going. Why did a paid money for Jersey and we are I think we know the answer why because it's entertaining it doesn't.

Mean as much to the normal thing and is it does to the blow hards in the media like us and we look we come -- for a while. We haven't exactly -- this isn't new ground were treading here we thought for awhile but for -- Joe public. Are much -- when you particularly -- for a a couple of weeks on the radio that's all while and goodies with the Yankees. Don't really care and and biscuits -- point I was making with John crossover. The the notion that the World Series titles were quote unquote -- it. The only way those two World Series titles were tainted is if you'll bought or and you couldn't think this but if you somehow thought. The the Red Sox were the only team using PTDs and everybody else out there was clean then those World Series titles are totally tainted. I'm not -- night. That may not be fair to historians. To the guys who who walked this road before these players but it's -- amongst themselves because every -- their cheaters on every team in baseball. Which cardinal. And -- I have no idea I mean look I'm I'm not gonna sit here with which Colorado right -- and I wouldn't see here it's -- and Ortiz guys a little thirty it would it would be totally unfair without without no. But but the chances are the odds are in Major League Baseball. Every team had at least -- guy if not I'm not even the odds. It is 100%. -- In mind. That every team in baseball -- at least ask somebody who was Houston's. I use the mock Jose Canseco when he said you know 75%. Of the people in Major League Baseball use and stop. It it nothing pains me more than to say. Stop mocking Jose Canseco the one -- killing four forever. Is his continue to search and -- hundreds the only culprit or all of that that alone -- much of what he says and the question. -- honestly he hasn't been wrong model. And right now Bud Selig is shattering because one little throwaway line is they had yesterday. Word gets out that some in the hall -- CDs.

Auto it which you know what download that will change everything I'll give Jose credit for that and is not dissimilar to what. Bill James is that Bill James is written that article we talked about on the earlier this week or last week -- was earlier this week Cooperstown and the boy when he said. That we all were all over reacting right now in 25 years fifty years 75 years everybody not just athletes. Everybody will be taking steroids because steroids -- slows down the aging process. And our. Children grandchildren great grandchildren. Will look at Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens and Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz as pioneers all -- they -- right now all these other. These other old fart what they do get there has been out there that steroids were bad Korea and so that's -- of -- content -- one of his arguments is that. Steroids. Debt -- that future generation of baseball writers or look at steroids. As it is. Part of everyday life and put some of these guys and now I'm not sure I agree with them but I do. Given credit for being one of these futuristic writers.

Yeah look I had to write science fiction too I believe that every team in baseball has multiple players. At least both for the testing that serious I do think a lot of I I -- a lot of players get scared off interestingly enough many apparently wasn't wanna.

Okay now if how to we fat as with -- before there's no debate about many or mare's. Who has been overshadowed this thing on my -- he's not -- gives us hey I'm here every penny of estate and there's no doubt that the Manny Ramirez cheated in 2003.

And in 2009. So are we to believe that in 2004567. And eight he didn't sorry stretches my credible that little tooth out so.

So many. 03809. David Ortiz 2003. That Ortiz. Without knowledge if you to if you listen to him without knowledge that he was on this list. That he also learn how to. Dodge the testing system and stuck them talk like he has an inside guy at the players' association if he had an -- guy he would've been blind side.

That blows me all right that's somebody at the players is those EP as if -- to be believed somebody -- knew it was on the list and didn't tell.

We argue for him in 2005. As a deserving. Candidate for MVP. Over Alex Rodriguez. To the evidence -- guy was he taking performance enhancing drugs then. With a -- of performance enhancing drugs in 2006. When he set the team record for home runs. Moving Jimmie --

I didn't I didn't think it. At the time I didn't and I and I was wrong and and you know I should have fought and at the time. For those people and and you know who you are out there we had callers saying you're you've got look at his numbers in Minnesota you've got to look at his numbers in Boston. You've got to at least acknowledged the possibility and I refused to do that. Primarily because I think it's unfair to accuse anybody without any evidence but. You know the -- even -- of Meehan and others is a little overwhelming in this matter.

I think what what really gets people it's not just that David Ortiz. -- it would give them. Is the comments. That he may. Very curious comments from Ortiz. As as you said 2007 -- Use but in 2009. He came out and said if you test positive. For steroids. Maybe should he says that if you test positive. Test positive for steroids. Or performance enhancing drugs right now. Under this current testing system he should be suspended.

a year yet to -- actually. The part that everybody leaves out when they've been discussing that last eighteen hours apart the daily about. Is he said what happened in the past happened in the past but going forward right. In other words you get caught now right now much unity okay patent and Manny was pretty -- You know that's the point he was making. Make has in in and actually sincerely. Naively believed. That scared straight. And the numbers come back -- okay.

Obvious question here -- my -- like an obvious question just alluded to it. Are you 100% certain that David Ortiz in 2009. Is not using.

I'm not 100 has certain -- anymore. But anecdotally the evidence would suggest that that's true I. I said this story on the air so I don't mind repeating this you know out of the mouths of little waves were watching the games back in April and may and my twelve year old -- a huge baseball fan and we watch -- have a particularly awful that back. If she turns means he says he must not be taken steroids anymore. That's how kids are thinking now unfortunately they're saying that stuff. She wasn't the only person thinking that she's just the twelve year old sitting in my family room saying it -- op the numbers suggest. He's what has taken it anymore.

Okay did you stop and I don't Alter gotten sick I don't know the answer that I don't I mean I mean after after 2000 right because the numbers have been sliding. -- in its optical 2007 a slide because we go back and look at those numbers just on their own. They're very impressive. If you compare those numbers to David Ortiz the year before just in terms of home run they've Manning went from 54 home runs to that in 3532. In 2007. And then 2008 injuries pop up. The playoffs where he was terrible in the playoffs. The American League Championship Series just was not. Without the David Ortiz we we were used to say. 2009 we know the story here I -- Abbott by the gets people out as I was saying it was not just the comments. About to be suspended for a year. It is the like ability. David Ortiz. It's more likable. Has a bigger personality than Andy Pettitte an estimated that the bad guy. But no -- more likable and more like a likable than Roger Clemens Barry Bonds Raphael Palmeiro Sammy Sosa. And those guys it Sosa particularly as it has huge personality -- we didn't play for the cubs. But still. Not like David Ortiz David Ortiz Ortiz and David Ortiz -- Poppy and there are a lot of people elected him in a baseball cents. As a -- Because what happens at a baseball game when you're thinking it it never it never happens the what you think it's -- for example you're watching a game your team is down. A run in the ninth inning two out a runner on it to stamp -- If we can hit a home run here in winning game LB great you know what usually happens in a situation about it strikes out pops up. David Ortiz. Was able to take your thoughts. The public Curitiba -- it's like a mental. Game a little bit to read your mind. And give you what you match.

How rare that is right now. It did it routinely any didn't in the playoffs. It was like it he was a cartoon character large and -- they rushed to the -- or what we have Superman here right now. And then you look around according to.

Comes David Ortiz -- really drive people crazy because they thought. He was different well and the only it's not and the ultimate irony is on the day that this becomes public. We get a flashback to that David Ortiz. Seventh inning down by a couple of runs but pop people one another center field bleachers all it's just like the old days I I don't believe that he's using right now I do believe that he got scared straight I don't know wet. I don't know that it was 2004. Or five or six or seven I don't know went. I think at. I hate to think that he was this manipulative and stupid. To make the comments he made on February 16 in Fort Myers, Florida knowing he was still using. If you have a happy you'll have to be a complete more. To say the things he said knowing that he still used -- stuff but you would -- things you said knowing that fewer previous user. That again you would say that -- that we all -- I'm not you know the past but going forward. Anybody he uses bank and for a year.

it's immoral what he said in February if you break it down you really look at each part of it it's a more digest the -- less obnoxious. Version. Of what Mark McGwire said before congress that I'm gonna talk about the panacea. Let's look forward to something great for the game of baseball I love this game so much let's move forward we talk about the past. It wanna talk about the past because. He knew he did some things.

I I will give the phone numbers but it's only for future reference because all of our lines are fallen they've been full since. 6 o'clock this morning and probably before that 6177790850. Toll free 8885250850. Verizon cellphone users can hit pound W weak on you don't even have paper that call email address and the at a pile of those waiting for us when we got into the office this morning. Elena -- at WEEI dot com will dive right into it with you coming up next Sports Radio WE yeah.