Michael Phelps became the absolute happiest athelete on Earth yesterday when cnnsi.com reported that Alex Rodriguez allegedly tested positive for the steroid Primobolan in 2003 when he was a member of the Texas Rangers and also the year he won his first MVP award. Rodriguez had until now been relatively clean of steroid accusations (except a scarily accurate Jose Canseco) and had in some minds become the great hope for taking baseball out of the so-called “Steroid Era”.
So the question now becomes not whether not he’s still on the gas or if he’s got any sort of justification for it (I.e. nagging injuries), but it’s who can fall over themselves fast enough to demonize and belittle the achievements of what, to this point, has been one of the greatest baseball careers of all time:
- ESPN has about 27 columns stating that baseball is once again ruined forever by these allegations.
- A-Rod’s hometown paper, the Miami Herald, joined in on the fun making it seem that Alex’s indiscretion is a betrayal of us all.
- But of course no one can turn on you like the New York media… Bill Madden of the New York Daily News says A-Rod’s Hall of Fame chances are finished (Personally, I think he’s still a first ballot choice.)
- And Joel Sherman of the New York Post seems to think that the Yankees were stupid to not get rid of “A-Fraud” when they had a chance (nevermind the fact that he won 2 MVP’s while in pinstripes AND that he’s still easily among the top players in the game).
- And of course, when no one asks or really cares about an opinion, who better than Curt Schilling to give one.
So welcome to the 2009 season. Pitchers and catchers report on the 14th!
on Feb 8th, 2009 at 5:26 pm
I think his Hall of Fame chances are hurt. Whether that’s permanent depends on how he responds to this. Honesty and humility will be the best policy from here on in. If A-Rod acts like Mark McGwire and Barry Bonds, he’s screwed.
on Feb 9th, 2009 at 12:40 am
Thanks to Alex Rodriguez whose idiocy now gives every satirist, wag, wit, parody seeker, humorist, Jay Leno, gag writer, sports reporter, and fan, enough hilarious material to last the rest of 2009 and maybe beyond.
on Feb 9th, 2009 at 1:19 pm
I acknowledge the all-too-pervasive use of performance enhancing drugs in sports. But I find it curious Mr. Cabrera that you still consider A-Fraud a “first ballot choice” for the Hall of Fame. Your definition of athletic excellence differs from mine.
I guess you consider Marion Jones worthy of the track Hall of Fame as well. That’s kind of sad.
on Feb 9th, 2009 at 1:34 pm
First, the allegations are still just that, allegations. I am not aware yet that anyone official has confirmed this, and a quick search says MLB is keeping quiet: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/02/07/arod.mlb.statement/index.html
Second, the man has shown an ungodly talent at playing baseball, quite possibly one of the best of all time, steroids don’t make you hit more accurately or field better, they heal injuries and make you stronger. Yes, he’s got impressive power numbers, but the man can flat out play. He’s more graceful than any hitter I’ve ever seen (outside of Junior Griffey).
Is this going to hurt him? Probably. Is this an idiotic thing for a guy who everyone knew had Hall of Fame talent to do? Definitely.
But look at his numbers and tell me he should not get in.
on Feb 9th, 2009 at 2:19 pm
Debating the issue is useless. We have different opinions and neither is wrong. Personally, I feel most steroid users likely have used performance enhancing drugs for years. Science finally catches up with them and they are caught through new drug testing.
I agree with your comment that we do not know definitively whether Mr. Rodriguez used steroids, although it’s unusual that he didn’t deny the positive test when approached by the SI writer.
I disagree with your suggestion that steroids will not help you hit more accurately. You would have to talk with a steroid expert, but my guess is that they would improve bat speed and the increased strength would almost certainly allow a player to hit more line drives up the gap or down the line. If I’m wrong (and I could easily be), I’d certainly do a mea culpa.
on Feb 9th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
What does this have to do with Michael Phelps?? Comparing taking steroids while on the field to taking a hit from a bong while from the pool doesn’t really hold up.
It does, however, help explain Madonna’s compulsion for 3-hour per day workouts…
on Feb 9th, 2009 at 3:13 pm
Rick: Just as a final note, A-Rod is going to take the ‘”Yes, I was stupid and did it” and hopes it goes away’ route.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3894847
on Feb 9th, 2009 at 3:36 pm
Thanks for the update Kelvin. He definitely deserves credit for owning up to and explaining his steroid use. If he was clean before 2001, and has not used PEDs since 2003, I agree he’s a Hall of Famer.
The tragedy in today’s sports world of designer drugs is that we have no guarantee of that. But Rodriguez deserves to be taken at his word.
on Feb 17th, 2009 at 11:21 am
Alex is probably going to lose all sponsorship due to the fact that he did some stupid stuff and is now worthless.