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Red Sox's Ortiz: 'I don't know if I'm going to be a Hall of Famer'

Greg M. Cooper / USA TODAY Sports

Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz has the resume. 

Three World Series championships, a World Series MVP, nine All-Star appearances, 2,159 hits, 466 home runs and counting. Though, the 39-year-old - who continues to defy age - remains unsure if he'll ever reach Cooperstown. 

"I don't know if I'm going to be a Hall of Famer, to be honest," Ortiz told Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports in a lengthy interview. "That's not up to me. I've just got to keep doing what I've got to do on the field."

If there is one thing that could potentially block the veteran of 18 seasons in the eyes of the voters, it's a 2004 New York Times report that listed Ortiz for having a positive test for a banned substance during the BALCO investigation. 

"People point fingers at me because of (the test)," Ortiz said. "But nobody, not the union, not MLB, nobody ever came to me and told me, 'You tested positive for this.' Everybody used to go to GNC and buy supplements. And I guarantee you, most of the guys who tested positive, it was for that."

Ortiz believes it will be an injustice if he's eventually not voted into the Hall of Fame because of the BALCO link. 

"In case that happens, I don't think it's going to be fair," Ortiz said.

Released by the Minnesota Twins in 2002, Ortiz signed as a free agent with the Red Sox a month later and has since gained legend status in his 12 years in Beantown. 

Though his power shows no signs of slowing down - belting 35 home runs last season - Ortiz understands that he is entering the twilight of his career. 

"My career has gone beyond what I expected," Ortiz said. "I know I'm playing extra time - overtime. That's why I try to enjoy it. There's going to be a point where I'm going to have to 'take it to the house.' When that happens, I'm going to be more than happy. I never thought my career would be this long. That's why I try to take nothing for granted."

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