NewsWhore
06-03-2009, 03:40 PM
David Ortiz's troubles at the plate have been well publicized this season. Early season indications led many to believe that Papi's woes were due to a simple slump.
As his troubles have continued, some have suggested that his wrists, knees, personal problems or even performance-enhancing drugs are the source of Papi's decline as one of the league's greatest power hitters.
But Bill Simmons, writing for ESPN.com is speculating that Papi's troubles could be due to his age. Simmons writes that maybe Ortiz was actually older than his birth certificate stated and that his descent from the upper echelons of power hitting was due to a natural decline in production by older players.
Simmons notes the stories of Dominican friend Miguel Tejeada who was found to have cut two years off his birth certificate.
Simmons writes: "Watching Papi flounder now, I'd believe he's really 36 or 37 (not 33) before I'd believe PEDs are responsible. In a recent game in Minnesota, he couldn't catch up to an 89 mph fastball. Repeat: 89 mph!"
And while it's been a tough season for Ortiz, Simmons acknowledges that Red Sox fans are still standing behind him: "Red Sox fans refuse to turn against Ortiz. They just can't. They owe him too much for 2004 and 2007. It's like turning on Santa Claus or happy hour. Every Ortiz appearance is greeted with supportive cheers, every Ortiz failure is greeted with awkward silence. The fans are suffering just like he is."
See: http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?id=4223584
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#13)
As his troubles have continued, some have suggested that his wrists, knees, personal problems or even performance-enhancing drugs are the source of Papi's decline as one of the league's greatest power hitters.
But Bill Simmons, writing for ESPN.com is speculating that Papi's troubles could be due to his age. Simmons writes that maybe Ortiz was actually older than his birth certificate stated and that his descent from the upper echelons of power hitting was due to a natural decline in production by older players.
Simmons notes the stories of Dominican friend Miguel Tejeada who was found to have cut two years off his birth certificate.
Simmons writes: "Watching Papi flounder now, I'd believe he's really 36 or 37 (not 33) before I'd believe PEDs are responsible. In a recent game in Minnesota, he couldn't catch up to an 89 mph fastball. Repeat: 89 mph!"
And while it's been a tough season for Ortiz, Simmons acknowledges that Red Sox fans are still standing behind him: "Red Sox fans refuse to turn against Ortiz. They just can't. They owe him too much for 2004 and 2007. It's like turning on Santa Claus or happy hour. Every Ortiz appearance is greeted with supportive cheers, every Ortiz failure is greeted with awkward silence. The fans are suffering just like he is."
See: http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?id=4223584
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#13)