The Hall of Fame induction is over. The winner is…David Ortiz and? Just Ortiz. Ortiz was the only player elected into the Baseball HOF this year. Players like Roger Clemens, Barry Bonds and Alex Rodriguez were on the ballad as well. Here is why Ortiz is in HOF and Rodriguez is not.
David Ortiz’s Accusations
Ortiz was the only player to get 75 percent of the vote, reaching 77.9 percent. He became the 58th player ever to be elected in his first year of eligibility and the youngest among the 75 living members of the HOF.
Although Bonds and Roger Clemens were accused, along with Ortiz, approximately one third of the voters decided that their allegations were too hard to overlook, barring their entry into the HOF. There is a difference between Bond, Clemens and Ortiz. All three did deny using PEDs and other banned substances. However, Ortiz was tested and, according to Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred, the tests were inconclusive. Why? Supposedly, it was due to the difficulty in distinguishing between some legal substances that were available over the counter and not banned.
Ortiz’s Background and Career
Ortiz, also known as “Big Papi”, was born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. He made is MLB debut on September 2, 1997 on the Minnesota Twins. He only played in 15 games that season, but his batting average was .327 with an OPS of .802.
Ortiz played with the Twins from 1997-2002. After that, he went to the Boston Red Sox. He had a .288 average with 31 home runs and 101 RBIs during his first year. He ended up finishing fifth in AL MVP voting.
One of Ortiz’s best years was in 2007 when he hit .332 with 35 home runs, 117 RBIs, 111 walks and 103 strikeouts in 149 games. He was first in the AL in OBS this season sitting at .445.
Throughout his career, Ortiz had accomplished many feats. He won the AL Silver Slugger Award seven times, was the 2004 ALCS MVP, Hitter of the Year twice and won the Home Run Derby in 2010. Ortiz also has three World Series Championships under his belt, along with 10 AL All-Star appearances.
Cheating
Clemens, Bonds and Ortiz were accused of cheating. Rodriguez actually admitted to it. Rodriguez was using steroids from 2001-2003 and was suspended a year for his involvement in the 2013 Biogenesis Scandal.
Biogenesis was an anti-aging clinic in South Florida, which supplied human growth hormones, along with other PEDs to high-profile players. A-Rod was among one of the names that came up in their records.
Rodriguez did cheat. Did he have to? He didn’t because his numbers prove this. When he started out with the Seattle Mariners, his first two seasons were not that great, but he had only played in 65 games total. The following year, 1996, he won the AL Silver Slugger Award, was second on MVP voting and was in the All-Star game.
The problem is Rodriguez’s career is tainted by his PED use. Ortiz was accused and the tests were inconclusive.
What Happens Now?
This new steroid-era should be looked at and decisions should be made. Will more testing take place to catch cheaters? Will heftier fines be handed out? How about more or longer suspensions? This should be looked at.
How former PED users enter the HOF must be looked at too. It should follow along with how they handle it in the league. PED use should be considered if a former player is looked at for the HOF.
Whatever happens with steroids and the HOF, people should look at those who earned their way there by hard work and dedication. The same people who didn’t cheat and played great. Too bad the HOF induction is going to questionable now.
Featured Image Courtesy of Winslow Townson of USA TODAY Sports from Sheehan Planas-Arteaga of crowworthy.com
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