Coming Clean

Is it just me, or is everyone else tired of hearing about Alex Rodriguez? We get it, he took steroids. So did every other Major League Baseball player in America. Well, maybe not every player, but they all have taken some sort of substance or formula to help them perform better, or heal an injury.

About two weeks ago, Alex Rodriguez was found to have allegedly taken steroids from 2001-2003. It was not until last week that he confessed to the allegations of using performance enhancing substances. In an ESPN interview, Alex owned up to what he did, when he did it, and why he did it. He said he used steroids between 2001-2003 when he was with the Texas Rangers because he felt the pressure of being the highest paid player in the league, and he wanted to live up to those expectations. Alex went on to say that he was young and stupid, and that the culture at that time "very loose." (Whatever that means). When asked what kind of substances he was taking, Alex answered by repeating what he had just said, "Peter that's the thing, it was such a loosey goosey era that I'm guilty for a lot of things. I'm guilty for being neglagent, naive, not asking all the right questions, and to be quite honest, I don't know exactly what substances I am guilty of using." It sounded like an intelligent answer. Very well thought out as if rehearsed. I'm not buying the bull that you're feeding, Alex. We all see right through you. You're already confessing to using banned substances, don't pretend like you don't know what it is that you used.

I really do want to believe Alex Rodriguez. He was always, and still is very fun to watch. But, after watching the interview, I'm not sure what to believe. Who is to say that he only took steroids between 2001-2003? I just feel that, all these players who are now finally coming clean are still not telling the complete truth. If they can lie once, then they can lie again. Players like Rodriguez are forever tarnished with the image of steroids. Everyone will always see him play, and think, "Oh, he's still on steroids."

Alex still was not completely honest with Peter Gammons in his interview about what substance he used, and where he got it. A few days ago, he came clean again and confessed that a relative introduced him to a drug that was banned in the United States, but anyone could get legally in the Domincan Republic. Another lie being told. When will this stop? He obviously knew the substance he used was illegal, it came from a different country for crying out loud! But I guess it was just that "loosey goosey" culture again.

As I said before, I really want to believe A-Rod, but I really don't know anymore. I don't know if I can believe anything these players say. It deeply saddens me that players as great as Alex Rodriguez, or Andy Pettite, and Rafael Palmeiro even have to take a drug to enhance their performance. They were good even before using them. The only thing these players got out of using steroids is a bad name, and will forever be looked down on throughout Baseball history. It shows disrespect to the game, and oh yeah, its cheating! Whether A-Rod deserves the Hall of Fame or not is a completely different discussion.