David Ortiz

[wopphil]

He turns 38 in a couple of months.  Or 44 in Dominican years.  He is in the middle of yet another monster season and is showing no signs of slowing down. 

 

I know everyone thinks Ortiz is juicing, and I am skeptical too, but I have to wonder how the guy has been able to skirt the system for so long (if in fact he actually is juicing).  How is that so many others have been caught, but Ortiz hasn't?  Is the testing system not sophisticated enough to keep up with whatever Ortiz might be using? 

 

Maybe Ortiz is just really good.  Derek Jeter was great in his age 38 season.  As was Frank Thomas.  Chipper Jones was great in his age 40 season.  If Pujols can age as well as Ortiz, we might actually start liking his contract. 

[AngelsAndRamsFan]

Ortiz is still great at 38 because he keeps himself in great physical condition.  

[Glen]

It's his facial hair. Anything that annoying has to have some sort of magical powers.

[SoWhat]

I don't think Albert takes care of himself as well as Ortiz does. You always hear from ex-teammates, reporters and even La Russa  on how Albert has looked overweight the past 2 years. 

Edited September 5, 2013 by SoWhat

[nate]

It's his facial hair. Anything that annoying has to have some sort of magical powers.

 

Yep, everyone is diminishing the power of balls on your chin.

[Michifan]

How many players on the Biogenesis list actually tested positive? Have to wonder then why they hadn't.

[rageous]

Are you naive to think that current tests are effective in catching cheaters?

The biggest suspensions were from finding players through Biogenesis and only idiots that didn't have the help of an expert to help get around the testing have been caught so far.

Anyways I hope Josh and Pujols goes on what Ortiz is on.

[kevinb]

He turns 38 in a couple of months.  Or 44 in Dominican years.  He is in the middle of yet another monster season and is showing no signs of slowing down. 

 

I know everyone thinks Ortiz is juicing, and I am skeptical too, but I have to wonder how the guy has been able to skirt the system for so long (if in fact he actually is juicing).  How is that so many others have been caught, but Ortiz hasn't?  Is the testing system not sophisticated enough to keep up with whatever Ortiz might be using? 

 

Maybe Ortiz is just really good.  Derek Jeter was great in his age 38 season.  As was Frank Thomas.  Chipper Jones was great in his age 40 season.  If Pujols can age as well as Ortiz, we might actually start liking his contract. 

Only idiots get caught. HGH is not testable. There is probably new drugs that come out every year that you can not test for. 

[ukyah]

while it's true that the cheaters are consistently one step ahead of the testing system, it's a fallacy that only idiots get caught. people get caught because they make a small mistake in their chemical balance, for lack of a better term. it could be numerous agents, because it's a complex blend of masking agents and performance inhibitors. it's a game of cat and mouse.

 

secondly, my understanding is that you can test for hgh, but only through blood testing and not urine. perhaps i'm wrong about that.

[Ohtaniland]

Ortiz is just a great hitter. He gets tested as often as Pujols, Hamilton and A-Rod so he's obviously taking care of himself.

[Troll Daddy]

He tested positive in 2003.  He probably still is using PED's but he just has a great natural talent for hitting.  

 

Talent+PED+Fenway = 38 year old still able to mash.

 

Lets say it's true that Ortiz is still on some sort of PED ... would anybody here be against Pujols taking PED's if he was smart about it?

[Tank]

well, if we want to see his career come to an end, we should sign him.

[Bashbrothers]

Ortiz is a power hitter with a good eye.  Those age well.

 

Everything starts to break down as you get older.  Except power.  Your peaks at 40 and stays stable till 50.  What will slow him down eventually is his eye getting worse and his reaction time getting slower.

[HeavenlyHalos]

What the... Power numbers don't go down with age? You sure about that one, because looking at the careers of pretty much every power hitter not named Bonds goes against that theory.

[AngelsLakersFan]

Ortiz went through a down period where everyone thought he was done. Most of the great power hitters seemed to simply lose consistency later in their careers. Many guys like Thomas, and Piazza showed a lot of skill into their late 30's.

[2112]

Overall Ortiz has benefited from Fenway. I wonder if Fenway players are downgraded a little from Hall of Fame consideration.

[stevestevens]

Ortiz is an interesting experiment with the power of media. Everyone who has been linked to steroids might not get in the hall of fame. Clemens, McGwire, bonds, Viagra man, Sosa, afraud, etc.......but now that big papi gets his 2000 hit the media is discussing that he belongs in the hall. Uh, why is he not linked into the group of users? Especially when he was one that TESTED POSITIVE! None of the other guys on the blacklist ever did.

[Troll Daddy]

Ortiz is an interesting experiment with the power of media. Everyone who has been linked to steroids might not get in the hall of fame. Clemens, McGwire, bonds, Viagra man, Sosa, afraud, etc.......but now that big papi gets his 2000 hit the media is discussing that he belongs in the hall. Uh, why is he not linked into the group of users? Especially when he was one that TESTED POSITIVE! None of the other guys on the blacklist ever did.

That test didn't count ... It was a survey if you will.

100 player or so tested positive who's names will never know .

[Bashbrothers]

What the... Power numbers don't go down with age? You sure about that one, because looking at the careers of pretty much every power hitter not named Bonds goes against that theory.

 That's not because their power is diminishing.  It's because their eyes, reflexes, and bodies are breaking down.  Strength and power are still there.

 

Raul and Giambi are good examples of this.

[ScottT]

Ken Griffey Sr posted OPS+ of 127, 111, 80, 116, 111, and 117 when he was 36 to 41 years old.  His career OPS+ was 118.  Granted, his playing time was limited (especially his last two seasons) and he probably had his spots picked for him a bit, but just because he player is productive in his late thirties or early forties, doesn't mean he's juicing.   Many players have been productive late in their careers.   

[Michifan]

Lets say it's true that Ortiz is still on some sort of PED ... would anybody here be against Pujols taking PED's if he was smart about it?

Yes, I would.