Tears for Fears..................

It is very sad when you have to witness one's baseball demise....basically right in front of your eyes.  However that has been the case in the latter stages of 2008 and the complete case in 2009.  Like Jason Varitek....David Ortiz has basically morphed into a shell of his former self.

  In his time as GM, Theo Epstein has made alot of bad moves...a few good ones...followed by even fewer bold moves...one of those was banishing Nomar from Red Sox Nation.  The time has come, in fact...it's past time for Theo to make the same move, this time sending Red Sox legend David Ortiz into that good night.  A move most likely will not be made this year...but come this off-season....Ortiz has to be handed the rest of his contract, a pat on the back....and send him on his merry way.

  It has been a long strange trip with Big Papi this year, one that has had many downs....very few ups....and some twist and turns...one that revealed his name on the infamous 2003 naughty list.  I was disappointed that Ortiz's name appeared on the list, however it was not suprising.  What was more suprising was his lame excuses, and basically hiding and taking cover for his past sins.

  It is equally disappointing I'm sure for baseball owners that paid for the production of a lion, and in return they watched thier tiger turn into a harmless kitty.....one that hits around .218....with an OBP of oh say around .300 or so.  It is too bad that the Sox did not protect themselves with some type of out clause if steroids proved to be the reason for the production that got the player the contract in the first place.  Of course maybe Papi's lack of power may not from his lack of "vitamans"...maybe it's because he is really not 33....a pretty comman tale from players from the Domincan Republic.

  For me....it's been tough to grasp...the plain truth that has really been in front of us the entire time.  If there was a player that fit the steroid mold....it was certainly David Ortiz.....of course I always credited his success to Red Sox hitting coach Ron Jackson...that and hitting in front of Manny Rameriz.  I figured those factors were the reason that Papi's numbers spiked in a Red Sox uniform....not a synthetic reason.  I guess in baseball as in life....if something is to good to be true.....most likely it is....