Ortiz, Ramirez Tested Positive for PEDs

David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez, the two sluggers who led the Boston Red Sox to two world championships in 2004 and 2007, were among the 100 or so names on the list of Major League players who tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs in 2003, according to the New York Times.

So, does this mean the Red Sox championships are tainted? Should these guys turn in their championship rings?

I can’t say I’m surprised. Ramirez has already served a 50-game suspension for violating baseball’s drug policy earlier this season. Ortiz could not have been far behind. Before 2003, Ortiz was not well-known. In 2002, the Minnesota Twins cut him after failing to trade him, but he later signed with the Red Sox, where his career and batting numbers took off. See Fox Sports’ nifty chart summarizing Ortiz’s career numbers.

I do wish these names wouldn’t be slowly and gradually leaked out to the public. With each name, I get less surprised by the results. I do think it’s time for the entire list of names to be published, so we can all put this matter behind us.

Hingis Retires Amidst Cocaine Allegations

Former tennis champion Martina Hingis announced her retirement for the second time on Thursday, amidst allegations that she failed a drug test. During a press conference in Zurich, Switzerland, the tearful 27-year-old said she was retiring due to injuries that have plagued her since she returned to tennis in 2006. Playing tennis had become more difficult and she hasn’t been able to return to the top form that made her a champion. Hip and back injuries held her back most of the summer, forcing her to withdraw from several tournaments, and she did not make it past the third round at Wimbledon. Hingis also said she was “shocked and appalled” when she learned of her positive test results from Wimbledon for cocaine, and denied ever taking drugs. She did not want to continue competing while also fighting a possible drug probe that was likely to occur.

Hingis returned to tennis in 2006 after a three and a half year layoff to recover from burnout and injury and finished the year ranked No. 7. She was the youngest player to win a major tournament when she won the Australian Open in 1997 at age 16. She also won Wimbledon and the U.S. Open that same year.

Desperate athletes do desperate things. There is no doubt in my mind that Hingis chose to take cocaine out of desperation to get herself through Wimbledon, but also knowing that she would likely get caught. Without the drug, Hingis probably would not have competed at Wimbledon or the U.S. Open. Even before the Wimbledon tournament, Hingis had to know that her tennis career was ending, with or without drugs.