A-Rod Admits Use of Banned Substances.
Rodriguez Admits Steroid Use From 2001-2003.
The Confession
The 12 time all star admitted the drug use in an exclusive interview with ESPN earlier in the week.The confession was after a report in Sports Illustrated which said that the New York native took Primobolan and testosterone. Bud Selig has said that he has not decided whether Alex will face disciplinary actions but that is unlikely.
Alex admitted to taking performance enhancing drugs in 2003, three years before the Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program was created in early 2006 between the Commissioner of Baseball and the MLB players association. However that is not the major issue here.
The legacy of Alex Rodriguez is already at risk. Even though popular names such as Roger Clemens and Rafael Palmeiro have been investigated for performance enhancing drugs, Rodriguez’ situation is unique based on his popularity and the fact that he is still in his prime. As naturally gifted and talented as he is, the admission leaves many to despise the ten time silver slugger. He has said that he has been clean since 2004 when he joined the New York Yankees, but it is quite difficult to believe that, especially since one of his best seasons numerically has been with the pinstripes.
Will He Go To the Hall-Of-Fame?
There may not be that many immediate ramifications for Alex. However his status in the hall-of-fame - which before this admission was almost written in stone – is going to come into question. In a July 2008 edition of Sports Illustrated, many still felt that Clemens deserved to be in Cooperstown (86%). However, that is before the overwhelming evidence presented itself since this past summer. A-rod’s status as the best player in the league, and one of the best in his generation will be heavily scrutinized, including the ultimate question, of whether he will be voted into Cooperstown.
Years ago when Barry Bonds was first being investigated for steroid use, there was high praise for A-Rod and the years he has been having. One sports expert, whose name will not be mentioned, said about the possibility of A-Rod on steroids, “It’s sad that we look at his great year and wonder if he is taking something.”
This past year was Alex’s worst year since 1997, when he posted 35 homeruns and 103 RBI’s. Hardly a bad year at all and for most players in the major league, an excellent year.
Rodriguez’s name is arguably this biggest name to be mentioned in connection with steroids over the years. However is it a coincidence that Roger Clemens, Andy Pettite, Gary Sheffield, Jason Giambi, Jose Canseco, Chuck Knoblauch, Rondell White and now Alex Rodriguez, all former or current Yankees, have admitted or have been strongly accused by fellow players or the Mitchell report over the years? Is there something in the Yankee clubhouse that we do not know about?
Regardless, the admission by Alex Rodriguez has given yet another black eye for baseball.
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