In only a few short days after Sports Illustrated revealed that Alex Rodriguez tested positive for anabolic steroids in 2003, Alex came out from the shadows and spoke in an interview with Peter Gammons about the situation. I didn't think much when I first heard this because I figured it would be a quick apology by A-Rod without sincerity. How wrong I was... I watched a good eight minutes of A-Rod apologizing for his actions and explaining why he used steroids and why he stopped using them. The pressure of signing a $250 million contract with the Texas Rangers got to Alex and therefore, he felt he had to exceed all expectations. He definitely did by averaging 51 home runs a year in his three Texas years. Alex claimed that he didn't exactly know what substances he was taking and I believe him. You know why? It has to do with what he kept calling "the culture." He kept referring to the years baseball players were known to have used steroids as the culture of that time. If someone said take this and you will be stronger and a better baseball player, who isn't going to take it? Alex took something that he knew would make him better. He didn't care what it was called or what it actually was. They weren't even testing for steroids at the time, so Alex figured fans wouldn't care about his huge contract if he put up monster numbers.
A-Rod had an epiphany in spring training of 2003 when he hurt his neck and was out for a few weeks before the season started. He said that he woke up one morning and decided he had to take control of himself and stop taking these substances. Alex felt that he didn't need to use them anymore. And this was the best thing he could have ever done. He never even needed steroids to be a great player. Do you need proof of that? Well, in A-Rod's rookie year he hit 36 home runs and batted .358 with 123 RBI. I think those statistics show a good amount of promise in a 1st year player, back in 1996.
Throughout the entire interview, Alex repeatedly apologized and knew that his career will always be tainted in some way. He acknowledged that fans may not look up to him anymore, but what's in the past is the past. There's no way of changing it now. All he can do is apologize and be regretful now. If he didn't get caught, we would have never known. But, all we can do is deal with what we have been dealt and I think Alex Rodriguez is being sincere in his apology. He said he was doing this so he could help bring baseball back to where it needs to be.
I wish everyone would get off of A-Rod's case, finally... What about the other 103 players on that list who tested positive for steroids in 2003? Why don't we hear any of their names? The answer, of course, is because Alex Rodriguez is the best baseball player in the world. He is also the highest paid player. It would be ridiculous if people continue to give Alex a hard time. He came out and apologized for something hundreds of other players didn't have the guts to do. Can't we appreciate honesty in our society anymore? No one is perfect and all we can do now is make amends for our past mistakes. This steroid business is far from over because I can see players like Albert Pujols and Manny Ramirez being linked to steroids. It really wouldn't surprise me. But, until that day comes, all we will hear about is how Alex Rodriguez is a bum and he shouldn't be paid what he is paid. I will be rooting for Alex this year and I think if he has a great season, it won't matter that he used steroids. Every time someone has a great season, people will be saying it is because of steroids. Why? Can't their be great baseball players anymore? I think we will find out in the 2009 season who the legitimate baseball players are.
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