-
Alex Rodriguez of the New York Yankees - Source: Getty Images -
Related
New York Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez admitted on Tuesday he
had used performance-enhancing drugs in 2003 during his playing
days with the Texas Rangers.
"I did take a banned substance. For that I'm very sorry and deeply
regretful," Rodriguez told ESPN in response to a report in Sports
Illustrated that he had been one of 104 players who had tested
positive that year.
The revelation triggered reactions that reached all the way to the
White House and US President Barack Obama said the admission by
Major League Baseball (MLB)'s highest paid player was
depressing.
"If you're a fan of Major League Baseball I think it tarnishes an
entire era to some degree. And it's unfortunate because I think
there are a lot of ballplayers who played it straight," Obama said
at a news conference.
Although there were no penalties for a positive test in 2003,
confidential testing was conducted by MLB in agreement with the
players' union to determine if random testing should be introduced
in the following year.
Sports Illustrated said the Yankee third baseman had tested
positive for a steroid and the male sex hormone testosterone.
Three Seasons
Rodriguez, 33, one year into a 10-year, $275 million contract with
the Yankees, said he had cheated during his three seasons with the
Texas Rangers starting in 2001 but not since.
"When I arrived in Texas in 2001 I felt an enormous amount of
pressure. I felt like I had all the weight of the world on top of
me to perform and perform at a high level every day," said
Rodriguez, who had a 10-year, $252 million deal in Texas.
"Back then it was a different culture. It was very loose. I was
young, I was stupid, I was naive," he said. "And I wanted to prove
to everyone that I was worth being one of the greatest players of
all time.
"Although it was part of the culture back then ..... I'm sorry for
that time. I'm sorry for my fans," Rodriguez said, his eyes
watering.
"It wasn't until then that I ever thought about a substance of any
kind and since then I've proven to myself and to everyone that I
don't need any of that."
The Yankees, who traded for Rodriguez after the 2003 season, said
they were disappointed he had used banned substances but would
stand by their third baseman.
"Alex took a big step by admitting his mistake, and while there is
no condoning the use of performance enhancing drugs, we respect his
decision to take accountability for his actions," the team said in
a statement.
"We support Alex, and we will do everything we can to help him deal
with this challenge and prepare for the upcoming season."
Results of the confidential testing were obtained by the government
in conjunction with the investigation into the San Francisco
laboratory BALCO and its alleged link with Barry Bonds, baseball's
home run record holder.
Rodriguez, whose total of 553 homers puts him on course to overtake
Bond's record of 762, said he did not even know the name of the
drugs he took.
"It was such a loosey-goosey era, that I'm guilty for a lot of
things. I'm guilty for being negligent, naive, not asking all the
right questions," he said.
The head of the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) was
unimpressed with Rodriguez's apology.
"He claims to be sorry that he used hardcore steroids, but it is
obvious he is only sorry that he got caught," USADA CEO Travis
Tygart told Reuters by e-mail.
Doping Abuse
After the release of MLB's Mitchell Report in 2007, which found
there had been widespread doping abuse in baseball but did not name
Rodriguez, the Yankee slugger denied any involvement on national
television.
"If he was sorry that he used, he would have admitted it in advance
and would not have not provided a stone-faced denial......," Tygart
added.
Since the introduction of random testing in 2004, MLB has
instituted tough penalties for doping offenders -- a 50-game
suspension for a first offense, 100 games for a second and a
lifetime ban for a third positive test.
Rodriguez, a three-times American League MVP, is unlikely likely to
face punishment but his status as one of the game's greats has been
cast into doubt.
He had been viewed as a clean player who could lead the sport past
a steroids era that cast shadows over celebrated players such as
Bonds, Roger Clemens and Mark McGwire.
Now the question is whether A-Rod's feats will be cause for
celebration or rumination about an era of doping in baseball.
