As anyone not living under a rock knows by now, Alex Rodriquez tested positive for steroids back in a 2003 MLB conducted survey. Him, and 103 other players that were randomly screened by the league tested positive for performance enhancing drugs, however at the time the drugs that they were tested for using were not banned substances. Therefore, A-Rod did not do anything wrong. The court of public opinion may hold a different viewpoint, but rules are rules.
Today, however, many believe A-Rod did the honorable thing by coming clean, and admitting in an ESPN interview set to air tonight at 6 p.m. that he did, in fact, take steroids between the 2001 and 2003 seasons. Despite calls for A-Rods head, and for him to be cut from his $270 million deal with the Yankees (most notably in today’s daily news by beat writer Bill Madden), I do not think the Yankees will eat A-Rods mega contract. There is no evidence that A-Rod has taken anabolic steroids, or other performance enhancing drugs since 2001-2003. The fact of the matter remains that A-Rod was on the last place Rangers in 2003 when he tested positive. Now does that sound like a performance enhancing drug to you?
When analyzing his numbers, A-Rod did not even have his best statistical seasons while he was juicing. He did win the MVP in 2003, so it would be fair to say that he should have that tittle stripped, but it is important to remember that his actions were not against league policy. Even the fact that A-Rod is publicly admitting his mistake is proof that he shows remorse for his actions. Sosa, McGwire, Palmeiro and even Giambi can not say the same thing. A-Rod has manned up to face his issue and is doing the right thing, even while others before him swallowed their tongues and came down with amnesia.
In light of all this information, it would be best not for the Yankees to eat his eight year contract, but instead to let the man play. To let him be an example and a role model to kids on how one can mess up in life, but still bounce back. The Yankees should support their $270 Million man and they should hope that in 8 years, when he retires as the holder of every major record in baseball history, he will be remembered as much for his actions on the field as for his work off the field in being a positive role model in a time where “I don’t recall” is all most athletes can say.
Great article man. The title was pretty damn good too lol.
Yo who the hell wrote as my name?
Ok, clearly whoever wrote as “jon alba” needs to get his or her facts straight. First of all, 2007 was his best statistical year. Yes, he did hit 3 more home runs in 2002 when he was juicing, but he also played 4 more games that year. HIs SLG was .645 in 2007 as compared to .623 in 2002, and he also drove in 14 more RBIs that year, in 4 less games and over 40 less at bats. In 2007 his OBP was 30 points higher than in 2002 and his BA was 14 points higher. Now if you want to weigh 3 more home runs in 40 extra at bats against shoddier pitching back in 2002 while he was on the Rangers higher than almost every other important statistic than be my guest. As for me, Im taking 2007, one of his MVP years, as his best season statistically.