Sorry Papi
David Ortiz of the Boston Red Sox speaks to the media regarding his positive test for a performance enhancing substance as part of the 2003 Survey Test during a press conference at Yankee Stadium on August 8, 2009 in the Bronx borough of New York City.
(Chris McGrath / Getty Images)

The Big Apple Circus Was a Careless Mess
Ortiz Embarrasses Nation By Holding Us Hostage for 10 Days
And He Picks Yankee Stadium to Air His Dirty Laundry

David Ortiz's 10-Days Late Dog and Pony Show Didn't Pass the Smell Test
And All the Starry-Eyed No. 34 Jersey Wearers Need to Take a Shower
Los Angeles Times: David Ortiz Leaves Drug Questions Unanswered
Ortiz Says Nearly Nothing, and He Could Have Said It 10 Days Ago
Was That Sammy Sosa Or David Ortiz Up There Talking?
Yeah, Whatever He Said. Sincerely, Manny Ramirez
Survey: Are You Buying What Ortiz Is Selling?

Los Angeles Times: "Ten days after the New York Times reported Ortiz's name was on the list of players who tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs in 2003, 10 days after pledging not to 'hide' or 'make excuses,' Ortiz essentially did both.

Rather than coming clean, Ortiz took the easy way out, blaming the test results on nutritional supplements and vitamins he bought over the counter.

Rather than keeping his promise to reveal what he tested positive for, Ortiz took cover behind Michael Weiner, the top lawyer for the players' association, who said the union cannot give out that information." -- LA Times, Kevin Baxter, On Baseball

So Why Didn't David Deny Using Steroids Sooner?
He Doesn't Even Come Close to Providing an Answer ...

"Ortiz did not publicly discuss the revelation, at least not in depth, until more than a week had passed. Asked whether he regretted not [saying he 'never took steroids'] sooner, Ortiz would say only that �my name showed up on the list and I don�t know why. So I�ve got to find out, get some information, talk to the union to find out because I don�t know." (Huh??) -- Boston Globe

Bryant: Ortiz Offers 'I Don't Know' and No Insight

Howard Bryant, ESPN.com: "Ortiz said he never used steroids, and the public has the right to believe him or not, but then he said he did not know what substances he took, and offered no insight on what may have triggered a positive test.

"The reason for the charade, naturally, is both the level of the public breach when it comes to steroids and, for the elite player, the ultimate consequence of likely being barred from the Hall of Fame. But, it is a charade. If you took Weiner at his word, the entire steroids era has merely been a misunderstanding, naive but well-meaning guys mixing the wrong powders in their protein shakes.

"The common talk is for everyone to 'move on,' but truth and reconciliation cannot occur when the particulars -- management and players -- don't want to admit the truth."

More Nonsensical Statements from Big Phony...

"I never thought that buying supplements and vitamins, it was going to hurt anybody's feelings." -- David Ortiz, yep, that's what he thinks this is about...

New York Times: First Time the Union, MLB, Team, and Player
All Coordinated on the Same Page
If It Was a Supplement, It Was Probably 19-norandrostenedione
Federal Court Documents A Lot Clearer Than Red Sox Statement

"The team�s statement also mentioned 'substantial uncertainties and ambiguity surrounding the list of 104 names from the 2003 survey test,' adding: 'Indeed, there is even uncertainty about the number of players on this 2003 government list, whether it is 104, 96, 83, or less. Many of those uncertainties apparently relate to the use of then-legal nutritional supplements that were not banned by Baseball.'

"Federal court documents for the 2003 tests are less uncertain. They show that the government seized the records of only those players who tested positive for steroids. Whether Major League Baseball and the union considered them banned substances and whether they were a byproduct of legal substances is another matter." -- N.Y. Times, United Front Behind Ortiz Speaks Volumes

So the Blindsiding Was Bogus After All ...

Ortiz was told in August or September of 2004 that he were on a list attached to a grand jury subpoena issued by the government and met with MLBPA attorneys in September.

Ortiz Is Master of the Obvious:
"I don�t think this game could have been as good as it is without the fans"

How true. Without the fans dropping about $300 a night to watch him whiff, he wouldn't have half the wardrobe, or that little $13 million a year salary. It's a lot less when the seats are empty.


Meet the Flintstones Defense

Meet the Flintstones

After 10 Days, All We Get Is This Lousy
'Vitamins and Supplements' Excuse

'Vitamins and Supplements' Is the New Flaxseed Oil Excuse
Ortiz Doesn't Know What He Took?
Bottom Line Is A Man Knows What He Puts In His Body,
A Man With Millions at Stake Knows EXACTLY What He Puts In His Body


A Disheveled Michael Weiner Just Adds
More Distraction to the Discussion

Michael Weiner, general counsel to the Major League Players Association, consults with Boston Red Sox player David Ortiz at a news conference at Yankee Stadium
(Reuters)

So Why Are We Just Hearing About Your Fuzzy Math Now?
Where Was All This for Alex Rodriguez?

Weiner: Ortiz Knows What Supplements He Took

Whoops... the snappy dresser spoke to soon. Ortiz tell reporters he has no idea what supplements he put in his body.

And Mr. Weiner, Since That Was Your Coming Out Party for the World To See,
Do You Think You Could Have Dragged a Comb Across Your Head?
Or Put on a Shirt That Fit, Was Buttoned, With a T-Shirt, and Maybe a Sport Coat?
Thank You.


And the Bronx Beatdown Goes On

Boston Red Sox batter David Ortiz reacts after umpire Jim Joyce called him out on strikes with two runners on base against the New York Yankees in the seventh inning of their MLB American League baseball game at Yankee Stadium in New York August 8, 2009.
(Reuters)

The Curse of Careless Papi Continues
Sox Shut Out Again

New York 5, Boston 0
4 Hits, That's All There Is
Youk Left for Dead in Outfield
Buchholz Bright Spot
Ortiz .071 for August

BDD is a feature of Boston.com. All posts are by Steve Silva unless otherwise indicated.

Boston Globe:

Rodriguez looks like the steal deal > Despite effort by Rodriguez, Red So fall > Tazawa has come a long way, on and off field

Boston Herald:

Lauber: Eduardo Rodriguez showing Red Sox he's special > PawSox start looms large for Masterson

ProJo:

Rodriguez gem wasted > Chili Davis doesn't want to turn Red Sox into free-swingers > Red Sox draft catcher in third round

NY Post:

How Mariano Rivera has influenced Yankees' top pick > Why starting rotation could be a big Yankees' strength

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