Barry Bonds. Roger Clemens. Andy Pettite. Jason Giambi. Mark McGwire. Miguel Tejada. Sammy Sosa. Rafael Palmeiro. What do those guys all have in common? They were all arguably Hall of Famers, who were great baseball players, who made some bad decisions, and now will never be viewed the same. But when steroids are involved, weird terms are always expected. Brian Roberts admitted to taking them, he hit .296 last year, and all seems to be forgotten. Rick Ankiel supposedely took them, he hit 25 home runs last year, and his story is what gets the attention. Guys like Gary Matthews Jr. and Troy Glaus were mentioned in the Mitchell Report, and although they haven't admitted to taking steroids, more information could be forthcoming. A list of guys mentioned in the Mitchell Report from ESPN can be read.
What does Alex Rodriguez have in common with them? Until today, it was essentially nothing. He was the anti-Barry. He was the guy who would break the home run record, and do it cleanly. He would make the accomplishments of Bonds irrelevant, because he was going to do it better. And clean. Some people speculated that he was using performance-enhancing drugs, but in a sense, it couldn't be believed. A-Rod was something good about baseball, something that needed to stay that way.
He wasn't perfect, but nobody is. He had a bad attitude, so what? Bonds was a jerk. He made too much moeny, who cares? Bonds made way too much money. He had an affair, got divorced, and was rumored with Madonna, point being? Bonds did all of that, and much more, just without a celebrity. And now, as we all look back, it suddenly can dawn that, 'Hey, A-Rod really wasn't perfect'.
Of course, with this coming out, some key questions need to be asked. Why is this only leaked now? If it happened five years ago, shouldn't people have known about it, say, earlier? Like, say, when the Mitchell Report came out? How long had he really been using steroids? Did he use them for an injury, or was it to help enhance his swing?
Of course, as it is coming out now, everyone is taken back. But we also have to realize that he was "one of 104 players" who used steroids, supposedely. So, who else did it? Jim Thome? Manny Ramirez? David Ortiz? Ryan Howard? Personally, I don't believe that any of those guys did it. Yet now? I have no idea what to think. The backfall of accuastions in baseball, was always that A-Rod was the best player, and he didn't use them, so there is a possibility for hope.
If he did use them, when did he stop using them? How much did it really affect his career? Let's take a look at his stats since 2003, and look at the differences, since he most likely wasn't using steroids every year.
2003- .296 average, 181 hits, 47 home runs, 118 RBI's
2004- .286 average, 172 hits, 36 home runs, 106 RBI's
2005- .321 average, 194 hits, 48 home runs, 130 RBI's
2006- .290 average, 166 hits, 35 home runs, 125 RBI's
2007- .314 average, 183 hits, 54 home runs, 156 RBI's
2008- .302 average, 154 hits, 35 home runs, 103 RBI's
So looking at his stats, how much was he really affected by steroids? They look pretty similar year-by-year, and if someone was to take a guess of when he took them, they would most likely say 2007. But it seems impossible that he could have taken them in 2007, with all of the testing going on. It seems that every other year, his power numbers tend to go down, but that would say that he's taking steroids every two years, which would make things crazy. So it is plausible to say that if he took the one time, he continued to take them. Or that he stopped after doing it once.
Or could he have? I mean, if the reports from around six years ago came out today, who is to say what could or couldn't have happened two years ago? This is mostly speculation, but with everything going on, is this just the tip of the iceberg?
A pitcure tells 1,000 words, so here is the transformation of Rodriguez in Seattle, Texas, and New York. There are some obvious differences, but it's not like the transformation of Bonds.
Of course though, in the continuing trend of baseball players getting caught and admitting their mistakes if they aren't named, uh, Clemens or Bonds, A-Rod was remorseful. He seemed to admit his mistakes, give an honest apology, and tried to go on with his baseball career. But did he do that?
"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 and I needed to perform, and perform at a high-level every day"
Well, now it all makes sense! When someone is facing pressure, they shouldn't feel the need to fight the pain/pressure, realize what they can do, and make the best of it. They should just find an easy way out. But honestly, this isn't all that surprising. Pressure in baseball is a full count in the bottom of the ninth, when you need a hit. This is when guys like Justin Morneau, Albert Pujols or Carlos Delgado make something happen. This is also the time when A-Rod strikes out to end the game.
But this leaves a ton of doubt in my mind as to that he stopped taking them before he got to New York. He was under pressure, so he had to take them? Playing in Texas for a last place team, he needed them, but now when he went to a playoff team, the pressure was gone? Playing in Arlington, Texas, he needed them, but going to the media capital of the world, he didn't? Playing for a team that hasn't won a playoff game in a long time, he needed them, but going to the most storied franchise in the world, he didn't? Getting the richest contract ever, he needed them, but getting an even bigger one, he didn't?
"Again, it's pretty much a loosey-goosey era"
Lol. I never thought I'd be responding to Alex Rodriguez with 'lol', but with a response like this, what do you want me to say? Everyone was killing people, judge! Who cares if I did it, too? It was a loosey-goosey time!
"I felt like I needed something, a push, without over-investigating what I was taking, to get me to the next level"
Yet another quote the makes perfect sense. This is basically saying 'I didn't know what I was taking', and making it sound fancier, and more well-worded, so as to discourage people from jumping all over him for not knowing what he was taking. Seriously?
You are the best player in your sport. You are most likely a future Hall of Famer. You could be one of the all-time greats. You are in a position millions of people could only dream about. And you are going to put your career, your profession, and your legacy on hold to not find out what it is you're illegally taking?
"I wasn't even being truthful with myself. How was I going to be truthful with Katie or CBS?"
See, this is where the part about maturing immensly comes in. If you are so much more mature now then you were back in Texas, why did you lie in a national interview, seen by millions, and basically say that people were out to get you?
Barry Bonds and Miguel Tejada weren't honest with themselves, and now what? Ding ding ding, perjury! Possible jail time! You better feel lucky, Mr. Rodriguez, because what if be some sort of public-relations ploy, you had testified for congress? To show that the best is clean, what would have happened?
You supposedely were alerted that you did in fact test positive for them, were alerted of this, and still denied it. Is that stupidity? No; it's a feeling that you are above everyone else, something that everyone experiences once in their lifetime. And for this, I don't necesserily blame you. But now, the time's up, you've been caught. You've been discoered. You've been discredited.
Maybe Alex Rodriguez is getting what he deserves, after all.
"If you're a fan of Major League Baseball, I think it tarnishes an entire era, to some degree" said President Barack Obama.
I agree with this satement, but the next most talked-about statement from the political perspective, I disagree with.
"It would be good perhaps to sit down and talk with him. I think that he would want to cooperate with us so that Congress would have the information it may need" said Representative Elijah Cummings, a Democrat from Maryland.
Please, Congress, don't spend six months investigating baseball! I love baseball, but don't do it! We've got millions of people jobless, numerous more homeless, and many more struggling to make ends meet. We've got a war going on in Iraq, and a genocide going on in Sudan. Baseball is fun, but it's a sport. Nobody dies when the Yankees lose.
Perhaps Jose Canseco said it best:
"This is a 25 year cover-up. The true criminals are Gene Orza, Donald Fehr and Bud Selig. Investigate them, and you will have all the answers".
Canseco came out with a bunch of information, and everyone said he lied. Well, he was telling the truth. He came out with more information, and everyone said he lied. Again, he was telling the truth. If he said that the Athletics are run by aliens, I bet someonwe would believe it. So if he is in fact telling the truth, shouldn't he be listened to?
Everyone makes mistakes. I'm not going to defend Alex Rodriguez. I'm not going to defend Bud Selig. I'm not going to defend Major League Baseball. Will the MLB record book forever be tainted? Or is a new superstar going to come along, and break the home run record? If he does, we've made sure that steroid speculation will be present.
Saturday, February 7th, 2009. The Day that Baseball Died?
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Everyone who reads this, sorry it is so short. I wrote this in about 20 minutes, but I wanted to say something about this, so I'll go ahead and polish it up later. My apologies...
0x NBA/NFL Champion
Saint Paul, MN
Total Comments (5072)
Interesting take on this new wrinkle in the ongoing battle between those who would seek to enhance their performance and a skeptical public which simultaneously sings praises in favor and proselytizes against athletes. Personally, I don't think we'll see baseball die anymore now than we did when the BALCO story first came out... or Caminiti's tell-all interview... or Canseco's "Juiced"... or Clemens or Palmiero or hell... even "Ball Four" and the pitcher's-eye-view of the pervasive amphetamine scourge of several decades past...
It surely is a shame to hear that Rodriguez was (is?) artificially enhanced. Remember, though, that MLB has had a largely toothless anti-doping policy... and still does. Penalties are lax, few chemical cocktails are banned, and testing protocol -- based on the assertions being reported now that baseball players were tipped off by the MLBPA and/or some other entity as to when their number would get called for "random" testing -- is laughable...
As someone who has reported extensively on cycling over the past few years, I understand what challenges any anti-doping policy faces. However, for cycling to be ridiculed for doing the right thing while baseball continues to sweep its problems under the rug and get away with it is downright damnable. I don't think today will be the day baseball died, 0x... but I sure do hope that it is the day baseball finally snaps out of its insular, self-delusional haze to really recognize what needs to be done to start effectively preventing the use of steroids, HGH, amphetamines, and any and all other concoctions which the chemists will come up with...
Bigalke
Springfield, OR
Total Comments (22305)
Just when I was looking forward to the season, another roid story emerges. I wonder who else doped? It is probably a question that will linger for years to come... I could see it now in the HoF...the asterisk era.
Jeter's Boyz
Total Comments (306)
Baseball was much better off before 'roids became such a big deal. I consistently looked forward to the season, deciding that steroids made the game more interesting and fun. However, now I see it as a huge problem and I question all of the players I once idolized.
'Ey
Boston, MA
Total Comments (6933)
I noticed that really none of them were team players or were like by their team mates. Only exception may be Giambi. From what I've read he does get along well with his team mates.
MrMiyagiJr
Total Comments (2662)
Maybe it's where I live, but it is sure disappointing to see the Rangers always at the middle of this. Pudge, Juan, Rafi, etc, etc.
Has anyone noticed the lack of team production from players on roids? I guess the Cards did a little w/ McGwire, but overall, the Giants, Rangers, Cubs (at Sosa time), and Yanks since A'roid aren't gonna win overall.
Props to Rick Helling, Chad Curtis, and these anonymous sources. I would sure like to see who the other 103 players are tho.
Chad R
Dallas , TX
Total Comments (101)
MLB has died I cant believe this league is popular with all the cheating it has and the NHL is still unpopular.
The True Joker
Total Comments (11609)
This is really sad. I don't know why, but it is. I am someone that isn't really bothered at all by players taking steroids during that period, but A-Rod was one guy that I was sure didn't take them. Bud Selig is certainly to blame in all of this, but how much blame is really needed? This is an issue that I am torn on.
For some reason, this news just really hit me hard, ruined my day. It probably shouldn't have, but I can't justify not wondering about everyone anymore. I said in my blog the other day that Helton has never taken 'roids, and I firmly believe it, but I wouldn't be surprised by anything anymore.
I don't really know what I'm saying other than that this is sad. I don't feel cheated, I don't feel misguided, I just feel a little let-down. Not much else to say.
Great blog. It really captured the spirit of the thing in a way that a longer, more thought out post can't. I wouldn't change a thing about it if I were you. It really displays your feelings, the emotions that were running through your mind as you typed.
wtnelson = Big Chief
Fort Collins , CO
Total Comments (3649)
If anyone thinks that steroids are out of baseball, then they are fooling themselves. Testosterone is the drug of choice. It can't be detected with MLB testing and as long as you keep your epitestosterone in balance and cycle, no problem. As a biochemist, I would test players using LCMS (Liquid Chromatography Mass Spec). This can detect artificial testosterone and human growth hormone (Landis got caught with this method).
headcase77
Seattle , WA
Total Comments (3)
put the federal agents who leaked or sold this information out in public and I will beleive it. Until then it is hearsay.
James Esq.
Hampton Bays , NY
Total Comments (3)
I couldn't believe what I was reading this morning when I saw about A-Rod. I never could believe that he took roids, and now if he did, can we serioulsy call anyone a clean player and be sure?
Lakers#1: Iron Bowl
Jacksonville , AL
Total Comments (46960)
This is a foolish post. I say that as a Red Sox fan and as a baseball fan. If people are so concerned about idiots like a-fraud breaking records then they don't really care about baseball, they just want the highlight reels. If he does break the record you take away those homers he got with the roids and move on. And when even most Yankee fans can't stand a-rod, not to give any credit to yankee fans, then I don't think everyone else should take him so seriously. Is a-rod a good teamate, is a-rod good in the playoffs, these are more important questions. I have thought about him breaking the home run record, but that is a boneless, imaginative thought. It holds no real weight. The game will still be played. I, for one, CAN NOT WAIT until the season starts. In large part because I want to see what Pedroia can do this year. Here is someone who is similiar in stature and size to me, who doesn't break records yet who is a WINNER. He plays his **** off every game, he's good in the playoffs and he's a quality teamate. So maybe your baseball just died if you give a s#!t about players like a-fraud, but to the rest of us there is still reason to believe in our beloved game.
BoSoxRoyCoup
Big Sur , CA
Total Comments (23)
I don't personally believe that baseball "died". You are right that baseball is a great game and that there is a lot to look forward to. This was more to draw thoughts and pose bigger points, if that makes sense...
I personally hate the Yankees, and don't really like A-Rod. The Twins are my favorite team, and I too enojy watching someone do things the right way, my favorite player, Joe Mauer.
0x NBA/NFL Champion
Saint Paul, MN
Total Comments (5072)
Baseball certainly hasn't died with this revelation. He'll if anything most fans will be thrilled to find out ARod cheated his way to fame as he's not a very likable fella to begin with. Red Sox fans especially will find great joy in yet another Yankees player falling from grace via steroid use.
MLB had it's highest attendance and highest revenue ever last year right in the middle of the steroid 'scandal' breaking. Remember the Mitchell report was made public nearly 4 months before the first umpire yelled 'play ball' on the season. If that didn't deter the fans from attending, and in fact they attended in record numbers, then simply adding ARod to the list of known offenders will have no effect at all. If anything it shows that the superstars aren't getting a free pass here and nobody is beneath suspicion.
C-C-C
Total Comments (23527)
i got an espn alert about the arod news this morning and i will say that baseball has always been my favorite sport but it's falling apart
1bighokie
Total Comments (12)
I cant wait for the season to start! I really don't care about roids in baseball, the same way you don't care about roids in football. The point is that we all know the players use them, but just ignore it. Baseball gets all the attention because the media is trying to cover for that fact that many of them KNEW guys were juicing AND SAID nothing! Now they try to pin the blame on MLBPA. You tell me your covering the O's and Brandy Anderson puts on 15-20lbs and hits 50 hrs when his career season high was 21? You don't think somethings up? So, they can keep doing whatever, they are amazing ball players and I enjoy watching them. I have two words.....
PLAY BALL
NOLEMAN94
Suwanee , GA
Total Comments (3)
Fix the steroid problem is baseball by enacting a lifetime ban for first time users. None of this 10-50-season junk. Have true "random" testing with nobody tipping off players. We took a wiz-quiz every few months in the Marine Corps and nobody ever got tipped off to being on the list, and we had over 2000 guys in my battalion. The executive level of MLB is garbage, and is as complicit as any one of these players for the rampant steroid use in baseball. America's pasttime has been replaced by the NFL. Congratulations Bud Selig, you piece of cow dung...
Spreezy
Tacoma , WA
Total Comments (60)
Stop giving money to MLB and maybe something will change. Until then, why should the league care?
Six years ago A-Rod tested positive and how has he been punished?
Toronto Browns
Total Comments (5)
Baseball wil probably never die. There are many people that have a love for the game like me and the history is so great. Things like this make you appreciate the players that are very succesful in today's era that seem like hey are definitely clean. Ken Griffey Jr. comes to mind, Albert Pujols, and other players like them. Their accomplishments become more magnified in my eyes with every piece of news like the A-rod news.
Easy E and the Funky…
Toms River , NJ
Total Comments (171)
I wish MLB would clean up their act or either allow everyone to use them. You can add Oakland A's greats like McGwire and Canseco to your list. It seems like Canseco has been telling the whole truth from day 1, but no one believed him. I guess no one doubts Canseco's openness and honesty now. I personally think that these illegal drugs give you a big advantage. Look at the before and after bodies of these players.
By the way, great post. Thanks.
fantasy_fb
Total Comments (10)
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