At the age of 75 and 33 years into retirement, Hank Aaron, whom I prefer calling Henry, has earned the designation of elder statesman of the game. But being an elder statesman doesn’t mean thinking and saying anything you want.

Aaron has been guilty of thinking and saying some things recently that he would have been better off not thinking and saying. The subjects upon which Aaron remarked were Pete Rose and the list of 100 or so players who tested positive in 2003 for use of illegal performance-enhancing substances.

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What am I missing? I must be missing something. A news report says that Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz tested positive for the use of performance-enhancing substances in 2003, and people, including Boston fans, instantly question the Red Sox World Series championships in 2004 and 2007.

What does 2003 have to do with 2004 and 2007? Weren’t Ramirez and Ortiz tested in 2004 and 2007, and weren’t those tests negative? Why should their 2003 tests be attached to 2004 and 2007 and have any bearing on the outcome of those seasons?

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The most momentous trading deadline day of the past five years would have to be July 31, 2004. On that day, the Boston Red Sox acquired Orlando Cabrera, Doug Mientkiewicz and Dave Roberts. Shortstop Cabrera and first baseman Mientkiewicz would stabilize a shaky infield defense incapable of helping win a pennant, and Roberts would steal the base that would lead to an incredible, improbable playoff victory over the Yankees. The Red Sox first World Series championship in 86 years followed.

Probably more is made of the July 31 deadline than should be. For one thing, teams can make deals after July 31, and getting waivers to make them possible, has become easier now that teams don’t put in claims for everyone to block them from going elsewhere.

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