World Series champ says he'd hit Fernando Tatis Jr 'every single time' following PED suspension

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Jonathan Papelbon, a former six-time All-Star closer and 2007 World Series champion with the Boston Red Sox, had a fiery response to the Fernando Tatis Jr. suspension.

Tatis, who was about to return to the San Diego Padres after being on the injury list the entire season, received an 80-game suspension for a positive drug test. Tatis said he "inadvertently" took medication to treat ringworm that contained Clostebol.

Papelbon appeared on WEEI Radio’s "Bradford Sho" podcast and said he was not buying the excuse.

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Former Red Sox pitcher Jonathan Papelbon gets ready to throw out the first pitch before Game 3 of the ALCS against the Houston Astros at Fenway Park on October 18, 2021 in Boston. (Matt Stone/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)

"This whole Tatis stuff, man, it almost enrages me," Papelbon said. "I worked my a-- off so long and so hard and did it the right way. For me, to see something like that, it hurts me so bad.

"I’ll tell you right now – if I was pitching, every single time I face that dude I’m drilling him. I don’t care if I’m bringing in a run and losing the game."

Papelbon admitted there would be a few guys who he would throw a brushback pitch toward.

PADRES' FERNANDO TATIS JR. SUSPENDED 80 GAMES FOR PERFORMANCE-ENHANCING DRUGS

Fernando Tatis Jr., #23 of the San Diego Padres, looks on during a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies June 23, 2022 at Petco Park in San Diego. (Denis Poroy/Getty Images)

"Yeah. Manny Machado. Sammy Sosa. I can go on and on. The thing is, it’s a mutual respect from the players and all that’s gone. I feel like that’s what’s missing from the game.