Orioles slugger Chris Davis denies PED use

Orioles slugger Chris Davis says he has never taken performance-enhancing drugs. (Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)

Baltimore Orioles first baseman Chris Davis is having an MVP-type season, leading the majors in homers with 34 and also leading MLB in slugging percentage.

His previous career high in home runs was 33, set last year in 139 games and Davis says he understands that people are going to speculate and ask questions about performance-enhancing drugs.

“I have never taken them. I have no reason to. I’ve always been a power hitter," Davis said to the Baltimore Sun. "With me, I think the biggest thing was the consistency of the contact … When I was making contact, I was always hitting for power. I’m a guy that likes to work out a lot. I’m a guy that used to eat whatever I wanted to, but I started getting into my mid-20s, I’ve been seeing that change. So I’ve been taking better care of my body. I have a pretty strict diet. But I’ve never taken [performance-enhancing drugs]. I haven’t felt the need to.”

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Davis says he believes baseball’s true single-season home run record was Roger Maris’ 61, which was set in 1961.

"I think when McGwire and Sosa did what they did in 1998, it was awesome to watch. And then when all the stuff came out with the PEDs and all of that, it was really disheartening,” said Davis. "And if there are people that want to get upset with me saying that 61 is still, in my opinion, the single season record, I’m entitled to my own opinions and own beliefs."