Roche: Appreciating Papi
BOSTON (CBS) - David Ortiz continues to amaze, even in his 17th season in the big leagues.
Ortiz has been, and probably will continue to be, under the microscope because of what he's been able to do at 37-years-old.
Ortiz has played in 72 games this season and his hitting a robust .327 with 18 home runs, 62 RBI, 45 runs, 21 doubles, with an .OPS of 1.032. In Boston's win over the Mariners Tuesday night in Seattle, Ortiz notched four hits, including his 18th home run and two doubles, scored three runs, and stole a base.
With the four hits, David tied Harold Baines for the most hits all-time by a designated hitter with 1,688.
There are no signs of Ortiz slowing down, either.
And, maybe voters should start looking at a Hall of Fame category to get Ortiz and Edgar Martinez into Cooperstown. Heck, David is just like a closer in many ways in that he has one specialty (just a thought).
Meanwhile, because of an ESPN report that has as many as 20 players -- including Alex Rodriguez and Ryan Braun -- could get suspended by Bud Selig after the All-Star break for their involvement with PED's and a Miami clinic, some folks will wonder if Ortiz is one of them.
Read: More From WBZ-TV's Dan Roche
I have been duped by many athletes over the years about who and what they really are. However, if Ortiz ever tests positive for PED's, I will truly be stunned.
I have had many conversations with Ortiz about this and he has broken down all the tests; when MLB tests him, where they test him, etc. Since MLB implemented full time testing, Ortiz has never tested positive. And, Ortiz says he's never been told what he supposedly tested positive for when his name popped up on that infamous list years ago.
So, with that said, I would just sit back and enjoy a guy who continues to do the one thing he loves at the highest if levels: hit a baseball.
Maybe some day we'll watch that same guy hit his way into Cooperstown.
Follow WBZ-TV's Dan Roche on Twitter @RochieWBZ.
