David Ortiz defends his reputation in column
David Ortiz of the Boston Red Sox looks on against the St. Louis Cardinals during Game 6 of the 2013 World Series at Fenway Park on Oct. 30, 2013. Credit: Getty Images
Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz says he "never knowingly took any steroids" and he's definitely a Hall of Famer.
The remarks by the 39-year-old designated hitter come in a column Thursday for The Players' Tribune, a website founded by Derek Jeter that gives professional athletes a platform.
Ortiz also voiced his displeasure that he will "always be considered a cheater" to his detractors. Ortiz contends nobody in baseball has been tested more for performance-enhancing drugs than he has — more than 80 times since 2004.
Ortiz writes: "I have never failed a single one of those tests and I never will."
In 2009, Ortiz was on a list of 104 players who allegedly tested positive during Major League Baseball's 2003 survey of steroid use — results that were supposed to be anonymous. Ortiz later said he wound up on the list because he used nutritional supplements and was careless about their contents.
