When Red Sox legend David Ortiz slammed those who claimed he was guilty of using steroids

MLB legend David Ortiz tested positive for a banned substance during random testing in 2003, putting a blemish on his otherwise illustrious career. Naturally, the Red Sox player received a lot of criticism in the aftermath of the incident.

But Ortiz chose to hit back at those who felt he was guilty of using performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs). In 2015, Ortiz responded to the accusations and gave his side of the story on the Players' Tribune website.

"In some people's minds, I will always be considered a cheater. And that is bulls**t," he wrote.

"Nobody in MLB history has been tested for PEDs more than me. You know how many times I’ve been tested since 2004? More than 80. They say these tests are random. If it’s really random, I should start playing the damn lottery."

Ortiz asserted that he had never been informed of the substance for which he tested positive.

"If you think I’m full of it, go to your kitchen cabinet right now and read the back of a supplement bottle and honestly tell me you know what all of that stuff is. I’m not driving across the border to Mexico buying some shady pills from a drug dealer. I’m in a strip mall across from the Dunkin’ Donuts, bro.

"Say whatever you want about me — love me, hate me. But I’m no bulls***ter. I never knowingly took any steroids... If you think that ruins everything I have done in this game, there is nothing I can say to convince you different."

Fans were confused about David Ortiz’s induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame

"Big Papi" was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2022. His selection sparked a mixed response among fans. Some lent their support to Ortiz and considered him a worthy Hall of Famer, while others believed the opposite.

"David Ortiz tested positive for PEDs and Barry Bonds didn't. Guess which one made the Hall of Fame" – David Lombardi

With 541 career home runs, Ortiz was a clutch hitter and fan favorite who helped the Boston Red Sox win three titles. Despite having worse career stats than Barry Bonds and failing a drug test in 2003, he passed the 75% mark to be inducted into the Hall of Fame in his first year of candidature.

David Ortiz - Cleveland Guardians v Boston Red Sox

David Ortiz's former teammate Alex Rodriguez was present at his induction ceremony in Cooperstown.

Big Papi… A Hall of Fame player on the field. A Hall of Fame person off of it. What a great honor to witness your induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame today. I’m proud to call you a brother and friend," Alex Rodriguez said.

In 2004, Ortiz was selected for his first All-Star Game and went on to win his first Silver Slugger Award. He finished the season with 41 home runs, 139 RBIs and a batting average of .301. He set a new team record with 54 home runs in 2006 after leading the major leagues with 148 RBIs in 2005 and finishing a career-best second in the AL MVP voting.