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Written by Julio Pabón
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Sunday, 09 August 2009 |
 David Ortiz at his Yankee stadium Press Conference. (Photo LSV)
El Bronx, NY: Red Sox slugger, David “Big Papi” Ortiz scored “Big Props” when he held a press conference in “the belly of the enemy camp,” the NY Yankees press room before yesterday’s game in the boogie down Bronx.
The Yankee conference room was filled to capacity as it is customarily seen for major post-season game press conferences, or when the Yankees introduce a marquee player. The New York, Boston and national press came to hear what Ortiz and Michael Weiner, the incoming executive director of the Players Association, who was present with Ortiz at the news conference had to say.
Perhaps some reporters came to get a possible scoop on the story that has lingered more than the swine flu. Perhaps others came to hear if the Players Association had a major announcement to make, like going after the NY Times for releasing Ortiz’ name from a list that is supposed to be sealed and from a source that nobody can quote?
Whatever the reason, the fact is that the Yankee stadium conference was filled to capacity with everyone who covers sports in this city and the beat writers and radio personalities from Boston. When Ortiz began to speak, the amount of “clicking” noise from all the cameras on his face made it difficult for some of us sitting in the front to hear Ortiz.
Whatever you want to believe about Ortiz, you have to believe that the man has guts. You have to give him credit for having a press conference about the most important theme affecting his career away from his home base, the Boston nation. Not only that, but he had the press conference in his second language, English. That’s like a championship boxer defending his crown away from his home base, in the home city of his opponent. This definitely would take any champion outside of his comfort zone.
Big Papi did not appear to be uncomfortable at all. Perhaps the increase booing he has been hearing around the league and the negative publicity has gotten him use to this new reality, facing hard questions. He said what he needed to say. He said he did not knowingly take any illegal performance enhancement supplement. He stated, “I consider myself one of those guys who were definitely a little bit careless back in the days when I was buying supplements -- legal supplements -- over the counter, but I never bought steroids or used steroids.”
When asked why did he not say that from the beginning? Ortiz stated that when he heard the news and his name mentioned for the first time he was confused. He stated that he called the Players Association for assistance and clarity and they too were in the dark on the issue that seems have more cloak and mystery than an Agatha Christi novel. Ortiz was succinct, “What was I going to say when I myself and the Players Association know nothing?
Ortiz was asked if he has been tested since 2003? He answered that he has been tested fifteen times since 2003 and twice for the World Baseball Classic games and all have been negative. Michael Weiner, from the Players Association with David Ortiz. (Photo LSV)
He was asked about the comment that he had made prior to his name being released about other players who had tested positive, where he was quoted as saying, “anyone caught using steroids should be suspended from baseball for a least one year.” The reporter asked how he felt about saying that now? Ortiz stated that when he was asked that question about the players who were mentioned, he stated that he was not referring to any specific player. He was advising that one way to resolve this issue was to “test everyone, once twice or more every year and if anyone tested positive than that player should be suspended for a year.” The quote was taken out of context, those of us that study the history of sports can remember when another Latino star was often misquoted, and his name was Roberto Clemente.
Clemente basically lived with “unfriendly press” always looking for a misquote, or a flaw to report on, however, in Roberto’s case he would shut out all noise and prove himself with his bat, his glove, or arm turning many questions away from the non-sports issue and forcing the attention back to baseball.
Big Papi showed he has Big Guts and deserves “Big Props” for staging this press conference in the Bronx, to clear up the issue as soon as possible. As he stated, "this last week has been a major distraction. I want to apologize to my fans, my teammates, my manager, the owners, everybody for that situation."
Now is time for Big Papi to bring his Big bat to the game and force the questions to be about the big hit, the distance of his homerun, a walk off hit and not something that very few people know anything about that took place in 2003.
One more note: I think that it is somewhat naïve for some Yankee fans to believe that Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz single-handedly stole the World Series from the Yankees. There is no amount of substance in this planet that can do that. Let’s forget this nonsense and go back to playing baseball, PLEASE.
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