Ortiz tested positive for illegal performance-enhancing drugs in 2003, New York Times reports

Now the bashing of David Ortiz for reported usage of illegal performance-enhancing drugs can justifiably begin. According to an article written by Michael Schmidt in the New York Times, "Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz, the sluggers who propelled the Boston Red Sox to end an 86-year World Series championship drought and to capture another title three years later, were among the roughly 100 Major League Baseball players to test positive for performance-enhancing drugs in 2003, according to lawyers with knowledge of the results."

The contents of this story are not a surprise. Once Ramirez was suspended for the use of a fertility drug that is frequently used by steroid users coming off a cycle, it was evident that he had used illegal performance-enhancing drugs. Since Ramirez and Ortiz are good friends, it is not hard to put one and one together. Yet this New York Times article is the first credible news linking Ortiz to the use of illegal performance-enhancing drugs.

Though this does not stain Boston's legacy of winning the 2004 World Series, it does taint Ortiz's tenure with the Red Sox, which will come to an end when his contract expires after the 2010 season (or before, if Theo Epstein can find a sucker, er, I mean taker for Ortiz in a trade).

I think it is time that the entire 100-man list is released so the speculation can end and baseball can move forward. There is no doubt that every team has players on the list. I'm a feverish Red Sox fan, but I am also passionate about the game of baseball itself. It sickens me to see this sport tarnished on what seems like a monthly basis by the disclosure of new names associated with illegal performance-enhancing drugs. Hopefully, a majority of today's players are clean. I would much rather write about and talk about what happens on the field than the latest name linked to steroids. Ortiz said he was clean. Now he is no better than Johnny Damon, who said he would never sign with the Yankees and then ended up in pinstripes one year later. Which name will be announced next?