Yankees fans don't mind hearing Ortiz's name is on list
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The reaction among Yankees fans Thursday to the news that David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez were reportedly among the 104 who tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs in 2003 ranged from resignation to relief.
"It's about time they caught [Ortiz], finally," Sean Marzuillo of Nesconset said at Smith Haven Mall in Lake Grove. "I always thought he was definitely on something."
Marzuillo pointed to Ortiz's pre-Boston resume. Ortiz batted .266 with 58 home runs and 238 RBIs in 455 games in six years with the Twins before he was released in December 2002. "Then all of a sudden he starts hitting home runs left and right and then he kills us in the 2004 playoffs," Marzuillo said. Ortiz's first five seasons in Boston produced a .302 batting average, 208 home runs and 642 RBIs in 737 games.
Said Marzuillo, "I'm sure there are other Red Sox players who've done it and hopefully they get caught also, 'cause it seems like it's always the Yankees getting brought up all the time."
The sentiment that the Ortiz-Ramirez news evens the scales is a popular one among those tired of hearing that Alex Rodriguez, Jason Giambi, Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte are the poster boys for performance-enhancing drugs. "I think that everyone does it so they can't make too big a reaction on it anymore, but obviously, you can't go all against the Yankees now," Mastic resident Brian Pellone said.
Unlike Ramirez, who served a 50-game suspension for using a banned substance, Ortiz was nearly as respected as he was resented among many Yankees fans. "I actually like David Ortiz," said Angela Teri of Lake Ronkonkoma at Modell's in Centereach. "But it's disappointing, very disappointing."
