Ortiz says he never used steroids, but acknowledged he was 'careless' with supplements
NEW YORK -- At a news conference at Yankee Stadium this afternoon, David Ortiz stated definitively that he never used steroids or bought them, but acknowledged that he was "careless" when he was "buying supplements and vitamins over the counter," and that he may be guilty of taking supplements that he didn't know contained banned substances.
While Ortiz was denying he took steroids, incoming executive director of the Major League Baseball Players' Association Michael Weiner, who sat at Ortiz’s side during the news conference, outlined a strong case for why the list of 104 alleged to have tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs in 2003 is flawed and perhaps inaccurate.
Ortiz said he started more attention to the steroids issue once it came to the forefront that players were testing positive for supplements they bought over the counter. Ortiz said he bought the supplements both in the Dominican Republic and in the United States.
"But I never thought buying supplements and vitamins was going to hurt anybody's feelings," Ortiz said. "If it happened I'm sorry about that. One of the things I wanted to talk about was there was a misunderstanding about my statement when I first talked about meeting with the union. In 2004, I did meet with Michael, but I was never told I tested positive for steroids. We had a five-minute meeting and it was a little confusing. As the thing was going on I had no idea about the thing going on now. I didn't put too much attention to it. That's why when I put out my statement I was surprised about the news.
"I'm not here to make any excuses or anything. I used a lot of supplements and vitamins. I even had companies sending me supplements back then. I never used or buy any steroids.
"I want to apologize to the fans for the distraction to my teammates, our manager. This past week has been a nightmare to me. I think about the fans every day. This game wouldn't be as good as it is without the fans. People look at me not only as the guy who hits the ball but do things the right way. This past week has been a major distraction and I want to apologize to teammates and team owners for that situation."
Red Sox manager Terry Francona stood to the side during the news conference.
"I was very proud of the way David handled himself, which shouldn’t be a surprise," Francona said. "It’s been a long 10 days for him. And as David spoke and Michael spoke, it became more apparent, some of the things that David was dealing with. When we asked for patience, there was a lot of things explained, why there needed to be patience."
The Red Sox also issued a statement of support after the news conference.
"There are substantial uncertainties and ambiguity surrounding the list of 104 names," the Red Sox said. "David Ortiz is a team leader, and his contributions on the field and in the community have earned him respect and a special place in the hearts of Red Sox Nation."
While the government list is alleged to have 104 names on it, the Harvard-educated Weiner said there could be no more than a maximum of 96 positive tests or no fewer than 83 positive tests, based on the 5 percent threshold of players who needed to test positive in the 2003 testing, which triggered a stiff performance-enhancing policy by Major League Baseball and the union.
Weiner reiterated that no one at the union or the commissioner's office knew specifically who had tested positive, but that players were notified in August or September of 2004 that they were on the government list. Weiner said no further information was given. Ortiz confirmed that he was never informed of a positive test.
Weiner explained in detail the testing process.
"Part of survey testing in 2003 was that every test consisted of a pair of collections. Every single player -- the first sample was taken at random -- he didn't know it was coming -- and the second one -- and I wasn't there -- but David Ortiz was probably told by the collectors not to take any supplements and it would be collected again roughly seven days later. Those two collections together constituted a single test. Every single player who was tested in 2003 had that paired test and when I say there were other players who were tested twice, they would have had two paired collections because every test was paired."
Weiner said it was done this way by the doping agency in an effort to determine which players were taking hard steroids and which were testing positive for supplements. Weiner also explained that in 2003, many supplements that were later banned were legal to use. He cited androstenedione. I asked Ortiz whether he had taken andro, made famous by Mark McGwire, and Ortiz couldn't answer whether he had.
Weiner said that if a player tested positive in one collection and negative in another, the final result of that test would be negative.
While the general feeling is that the union has not explained things well during the process, Weiner pointed out that the same things he's outlined in his statement before today's press conference were the same points he made in a letter to Congressmen Tom Davis and Henry Waxman and in a separate letter to Sen. George Mitchell. He said the letter to the congressmen were public knowledge, but conceded that perhaps the message didn't get out as well as he'd hoped.
Weiner was also asked to reconcile the difference between the union's involvement with Yankees star Alex Rodriguez, who elected to reveal what he took, as opposed to Ortiz, who said he never took steroids and may be guilty of taking supplements that he didn't know contained banned substances.
"We talked to each of the players involved in this and again each player made his own determination as to what he wanted to say," Weiner said. "The fact we decided to issue our statement today was a function of the fact the message had not been gotten out about the unfairness in which this story has been reported. We would have issued that statement no matter who the player and where ever in the country he was. The fact that David decided to make a statement is what drove me to come here. It would be wrong to suggest that our view is any different with any of our players."
Weiner said while he won't reveal publicly individual concerns players have expressed to him over this story, he said he has received suggestions from players that the entire list come out.
"Sure there are some people who say why don't we just get this story over with and get the list out,” Weiner said. "That would be, one, illegal, and two, it's illegal because it's covered by court order. And it would be wrong because a promise was made by the commissioner's office and union that every player tested should have those results be anonymous. Even if the court order didn't exist the promises made by the both parties it would be wrong to release that list."
Weiner emphasized, "We discussed with Alex [Rodriguez] everything we discussed with David and we responded to allegations that Alex had been tipped off and all that stuff. Together with Alex we did the best we could back then. Maybe we made the mistake of thinking people would read the letter we sent to the congressmen because everything we said today is in that letter."
Weiner thought Ortiz's concerns were well-founded. He said, "David Ortiz doesn't know anything about his test results. He doesn't know whether what he took any affect on his 2003 result. That's the unfairness. His reputation is called into question. He can't get the information and he can't get the result that would allow him a full explanation. David did a great job, the best he could, under almost impossible circumstances. But I don't think anyone can say he knows what he took. He knows what supplements he took, but he doesn't t know whether they had any impact on his 2003 test."
Weiner was asked whether the union bears the bulk of the responsibility for not destroying the test results after they were issued.
"Talk about responsibility ... you talk about a lot of things," Weiner said. "We're in a bad situation. It's a situation that nobody wanted to be in, the commissioner didn't want to be in, the union didn't want to be in, the players didn't want to be in. We're precisely in that position because the government violated the constitution and we are in the position we are in now because undoubtedly, people bound by a court order, violated that court order. We're doing the best we can at this stage to protect the integrity of our program and the players we represent. I'm sorry we're in the situation we're in. I'm not going to comment on how you parcel out responsibility."
In an earlier statement, Weiner indicated "the sealing orders, which were appropriately issued by the various courts to maintain the collectively-bargained confidentiality of the testing, prevent the Association from supplying a player with specifics regarding his 2003 test results, or from discussing those specifics publicly.
"The practical effect of the sealing orders, if that confidentiality is to be maintained, is to further preclude the Players Association from confirming or denying whether a player's name appears on any list which purportedly discloses the 2003 test results. The result is that any union member alleged to have tested positive in 2003 because his name supposedly appears on some list -- most recently David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez -- finds himself in an extremely unfair position; his reputation has been threatened by a violation of the court's orders, but respect for those orders now leaves him without access to the information that might permit him to restore his good name.
“Unlike those anonymous lawyers who have violated the court orders -- and The New York Times, which has authorized an active and willful pursuit of those violations -- the Association will respect the courts' rulings. But we can legally say the following, each of which we suggest must be considered in assessing any and all newspaper reports stating a player has "tested positive for steroids in 2003.
“First, the number of players on the so-called ‘government list’ meaningfully exceeds the number of players agreed by the bargaining parties to have tested positive in 2003. Accordingly, the presence of a player's name on any such list does not necessarily mean that the player used a prohibited substance or that the player tested positive under our collectively bargained program.
“Second, substantial scientific questions exist as to the interpretation of some of the 2003 test results. The more definitive methods that are utilized by the lab that administers the current Drug Agreement were not utilized by the lab responsible for the anonymous testing program in 2003. The collective bargaining parties did not pursue definitive answers regarding these inconclusive results, since those answers were unnecessary to the administration of the 2003 program.
“Third, in 2003, legally available nutritional supplements could trigger an initial 'positive' test under our program. To account for this, each "test" conducted in 2003 actually consisted of a pair of collections: the first was unannounced and random, the second was approximately 7 days later, with the player advised to cease taking supplements during the interim. Under the 2003 program, a test could be initially reported as "positive", but not treated as such by the bargaining parties on account of the second test.“
Weiner made all those points and also added more information, which we have outlined.
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At least A-Rod and Manny admitted to PEDS ..Ortiz hides behind the players union
Hope nothing more comes out on him or he is even MORE Finished!
Please... David Ortiz and the Roid Sox are liars. Let Saint Peter judge these fools. Anyone who buys this lame explanation is also a fool! THESE STEROID CHEATS HAVE RUINED BASEBALL.
Go Angels
--Johann
I'd say he outta get careless again, pronto. Or shut up and retire.
Weiner's explanation seems to implicate Ortiz as a steroid user not an innocent victim of supplements. Weiner says that if the second test (off of supplements) was negative then it was reported as a "Negative" test. No split decisons. So if Ortiz is on the list as a positive, it means hsis second test was positive (off of supplements) , suggesting that he is a "real steroid cheater", not an innocent victim.
He must think the public is dumb or doesn't care (abundant evidence for both) views
ok David! Be a man and admit it .. you're nothing without juice and you've been taking it since day 1 in a Sox uniform.
Shaugnessy is in hiding.
Hey, Sox fans, if Francona says that the Big Guy "explained" everything, and that he was "proud" of the way he "explained" everything, then everything must be okay, right?
Whether it's a contrite confession by our Giambi, a mangled press conference held by A-Rod, or a laughed-off or "I don't buy no steroids" admission by your Manny or Ortiz, they all DID SOMETHING STUPID. They are all CHEATERS. Get over it - your guys were no better than ours.
he's a liar and cheat. the "suppliments" are taken during cycles of steroid use. at least Arod, he's still an idiot, was man enogh to admit it. if big papi has been clean how come he is a shadow of the player he was since the testing program was instituted? all you idiots that support and beleive him are sending a great message to the youth of our area. sit down with your child a tell him "son as long as your a nice person and act accordingly you can lie a cheat all you want, legal or not because it'll be alright"
I saw the entire news conference and I believe Big Papi.
Amazing. This sounds like David was telling the truth all along. We should all be ashamed of ourselves. Especially yous stupid Yankee fans.
Ortiz shows up with a union rep. This whole thing was too lawyerly for my tastes.
Papi claims to be 'on the level', but that's not what I saw today.
His story strains credulity. This, taken together with his dismal performance, disappoints me greatly. I am no longer a fan of his.
David, remember the boston sportswriters threw you under the bus and even twisted prior statements made by you. Thats what reporters do they build you up and then at the first sign of any trouble they tear you down without even hearing your case. Shaughnessy, Wilbur, Massoratti and the rest of them should apologize for their behavior.
So, does Dan Shaughnessy apologize to Big Papi now? The guy is a class act, a true champion, and I believe him. No tainted titles, no "say it ain't so" baloney. Ortiz told the truth today, and those in the Boston media who reamed him last week clearly forgot that in David Ortiz's adopted country, people are innocent until proven guilty. Back off.
Dan Shaughnessy says you'r a liar and you're guilty, Big Papi. Watch out... he's in Boston, sharpening his pitchfork as we speak!!!
I'm sure the number of players taking steroids or HGH in 2003 is a number that is staggering, but to make "The 104 List" the definitive report on who is guilty without a conclusive result and substance, seems extremely irresponsible. From day one, all the parties involved, from Selig to Congress, have played this issue like that fly ball Canseco tried to catch, only] to have it hit him square in the forehead. If y]our scoring at home, that's E everyone.
Seems theres a lot of Yankees fans here trying to pretend to be Sox fans and confuse us, we basically know who you are, it isnt working. I thought in this nation, a man was innocent until proven guilty.
What a predictable response from this cheat. It took him over a week to formulate this lie? I can see him now, huddled in a room with his agent and lawyer, "yeah, yeah...just say you bought some vitamins and you didn't know any better because you're a dumb dominican. The white folks in Boston will love it!"
Wow brenndino, it didn't take long for a yankme fan to post. I love how it is Day 1 in a Red Sox uniform but not Day 1 of his major league career that you went with. Anyway I don't know who to believe anymore about this crap. The media would sell their first born for an exclusive, the government had a lot more important things to worry about than steroid use in a game, and the players union/mlb only care about the all mighty dollar. You hear players say "it is a business" all the time now...maybe the fans are the ones to blame here. We expect a certain product in sports. We will show no mercy to a player who isn't hacking it anymore, but yet question how they go about staying on top of their game. There is a lot of blame to go around and I think we, the fan need to look in the mirror and ask what we would do if the thing we loved and the lifestyle we created could suddenly go away if we didn't play the unfortunate game that today's athlete needs to play to stay ahead.
Who cares if he did or he didn't, or for that matter if any of them did or did not they are playing a GAME. The real criminals are the people who violated a court order and our whole system of justice. You die hard sports fan should realize what the real priorities in life are, the media nitwits should do some real journalism and go after the real criminals and someone in the justice system (and Congress) should go after these "lawyers" to make sure they never practice law again.
Bunch of MORONS in these comments. Supliments WERE NOT ILLEGAL back in 2003....so all of this is a big bag of NOTHING. Ortiz is an honest, stand up guy and NO ONE can prove otherwise. Show us the actual test and the substance he was accused of testing positive for, or STFU.
Roid Sox. Gee I wonder how many Yank-mes are on that list? Let alone the rest of the league. Which I am sure all those Yank-me titles in the nineties are tainted as well.
"I love how it is Day 1 in a Red Sox uniform but not Day 1 of his major league career that you went with"
Maybe because as a Twin starter he hit 10,18 and 20 HR. When he became a Red Sock he hit 31,41,47 and 54 during the next 4 years.Highly suspicious... Not a hero, just another liar.
The issue is PEDs NOT Steroids, in particular, and Ortiz admitted he is 100% GUILTY.
Also, he admitted to THIS and then said "I was tested 15 times ---and never positive for STEROIDS". Really, what about Andro and all the other stuff.
Arod, Bonds, McGwire, Sosa, Manny, Ortiz.....the list is long and these guys are ALL guilty.
Ortiz' admission was a lot like Clemens. There is much more to this. And why were Red Sox Employees told to "stay away from Ortiz' personal assistant"???
This does NOT pass the smell test. Not at all
Popi or Popeye? I'm big and strong 'cause I eats me spinach!
I love Big Papi! He has proved himself on and off of the field to be a man of character and not of performance enhancing drugs. If the report is sealed, who is leaking names and why? Before we pass judgement on Big Papi, we should get the facts from a reputatble source and not something else that is slowly leaking "news" for personal gain.
Yo Yankees-you have enough of your own roid issues that you should be focusing on. Your number one cheater cheated the fans, fellow players and he even cheated on his wife. How;s that for integrity!
I hate New Yorkers... PERIOD. Why don't you all throw on an Eddie Money record, blow some coke,shut your fat faces and move to New Jersey already.
Can we all acknowledge that there is a BIG difference between shooting up with a needle taking anabolic steroids, and taking andro and other supplements purchased legally? Esp given those supplements weren't banned at the time.
Maybe David was cheating, but there are degrees.
tom p u r a friggen retard... check papis stats since he broke out of his slump- 3rd in Hr's go suck a fatty u homo
The reason Ortiz did not hold a press conference earlier was, that he needed some time to come up with a strategy and an explanation. And his strategy was to get the union involved and to jointly call the value of the list into question by saying that not everybody on the list has actually been positive. However, there are federal court documents stating that only tests of those players were seized, that tested positive for PEDs - in two tests. A little research by the often too timid and cowardly Globe reporters should make it evident that Ortiz' defense is worthless. I respect him as a human being and I also understand that he is trying to defend his legacy and his image. Other decent people have made mistakes and then tried to do the same thing. However, Papi has to recognize that the only way to actually save and eventually redeem himself, is to admit to his guilt and come clean, Canseco-style. His defense won't hold water and he is just making things worse.
"I WAS CARELESS" (WHAT REALLY HAPPENED BACK THEN)
Manny: "Yo, David, I got this great stuff from Dominica, try some, you'll love it!"
David: "Is it over the counter, non-steroid stuff?"
Manny: '"Of course! Would I steer you wrong? Here, try some..."
David: "Okay, thanks!"
THE END :)
Looks to me like he admitted to testing positive for PEDS. Not steroids.
They're not the same thing?
There are over the counter items that are considered banned in the ncaa and other pro sports as well.
1. Things like sudefed show up as a positive in a PED test.
2. We still don't know what David tested positive for
3. Not one member of the Red Sox has tested positive for PEDs, banned substances, or steroids since 2004 (look it up - I did....) but two members of the Yankees tested positive and were suspended (Matt Lawton for 10 days in 2005 and Sergio Mirte 50 days in 2009)
4. I have no reason not to think David is telling the truth.
you are a big fat dumb ass liar. You are DUMB, your stink and your batting average is less than your weight. JERK OFF
I not concerned over what Ortiz did or didn't take. My issue with this whole thing is the leaking of the info. These people are violating Federal Court rulings. Who going after them? At a minimum MLB should ban the NY Times from clubhouses and press boxes for their participation in this.
Our new pitcher won the "Rich Garces Look-alike" contest at the Cancun Club Med.
We suck.
So we waited a week for Ortiz to tell us the dog ate his homework.
Wonderful.
Once -- just once -- I would lover to hear one of these clown college graduates stand up and say. "Yes, I used performance-enhancing supplements to raise my production and make money. I am sorry this has come to light and ashamed that I now have to live with consequences of my actions." If I were ever to hear such a thing, I would likely have a catastrophic embosim and die on the spot.
Luckily for me, Major League Baseball is rife with lying liars who lie, and I am in absolutely no danger of being blindsided by an honest man.
David ... you are embrassing yourself ... do the right thing and fall on your sword.
You are 1 for 29 ... you're killing the team and the fans ... you are ready for the dog track. Take your money and pride (what's left of that) and head for the hills.
Big Papi ... IT'S OVAH! ... basebol is no longer your game ... do the right thing ... take Smoltz along with you -- say, "good bye," to baseball and be done with it. It's over.
Wish I knew enough about the testings and how supplements show affects those tests. Maybe he just goes to these stores and reads the labels that say "will give you more energy" and just takes it. I don't know what ingredients are in my cough medicine. I think if they leak out names from the list they should leak out all the information for that player. This is ridiculous just throwing names out there and not giving us more info so everyone is just guessing.
Is it me or does he sound just like Bill Clinton when he said "Ah neva had sexual relations with that woman"?
Ortiz never bought or used steroids...yeah right, that's a good one. What about human growth hormone? What about all the other banned or illegal supplements available? What exactly does he think he tested positive for.....too many Rocky Mountain Oysters?
And the kicker of it all is that the vast majority of these guys are still on HGH or something else that cannot/is not currently tested for. You simply cannot compete at that level against other people who use this stuff unless you're on them, too.
You are an idiot i you believe this clown.
By the way, he has quit on the team. He doesn't run anything out. He is putrid at the plate -- 1 for 30 with RISP. He is a joke.
I'm not sure I believe him. He has a Barry Bonds sized head. hmmmmm.
And don't forget about those PEP's performance enhancing players.
No Manny, no Papi.
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