Alex Rodriguez didn't really confess to doing steroids. He said he was being naive and said he was stupid while taking a banned substance.
It was a smart interview he gave Peter Gammons on ESPN. It was a non-admission admission of making a mistake, purely out of naivete.
He and his people must have seen how Andy Pettitte was received after admitting his mistakes. But A-Rod has way too much superstar baggage to get the same reaction as Pettitte.
Rodriguez did say he felt pressure to take something to live up to his record contract while he was playing with the Texas Rangers.
But he said he didn't know what that something was. Believe him? Don't you find it hard to believe he didn't know what he was putting in his body?
And do you believe he cheated only between 2001-03?
He kept talking about stuff you can buy at GNC. But the two drugs he reportedly took were not GNC stuff, including testosterone and Primobolan, which is illegal.
I did feel like A-Rod opened up honestly about feeling pressure to live up to that contract amid negative publicity.
And he didn't take Barry Bonds' old "flaxseed oil" excuse that he didn't know the substances he was taking were forbidden.
And maybe what he offered was all we could expect. But it sure wasn't a complete account. Naivete? Perhaps, but it seems there also was an intent to get an unfair edge.
It was an interesting interview. It made me wonder if Bonds wishes he would have taken this approach. Show some remorse, admit you made a mistake and ask for forgiveness.
One thing is for sure, he wouldn't be on trial for perjury if he took that approach.
O.K. A-Rod, man up and turn in your MVP award. For that matter, Jason Giambi, why don't you do the same? Frank had a better year than you did in 2000 to begin with! I just copied what I put on another thread to attest to that fact:
Here's the 2000 MVP race stats between Frank Thomas and ADMITTED steroid propelled Jason Giambi:
GP H R 2B HR TB RBI BA OBP SLG
F. Thomas 159 191 115 44 43 364 143 .328 .436 .625
J. Giambi 152 170 108 29 43 330 137 .333 .476 .647
Not counting GP, Frank takes Giambi in five stats, whereas Giambi has just three. They tied in HR. Yes, I did acknowledge the differentials in each stat category. Still, I think Frank edges Giambi WITHOUT thinking about one player being on steroids!!!
Combine this with the fact that both the Sox and A's finished 1st in their divisions (the A's were actually in a virtual tie with Seattle). The Sox record was 95-67 whereas the A's were just 91-70.
Neither team had a significant advantage in it's pitching staff although the A's were headed by Tim Hudson and had other burgeoning stars like Zito and Mulder. The Sox staff was headed by Mike Sirotka! This was a very controversial and perhaps political MVP selection even back then. Now, it's time for Selig to do the right thing and strip Giambi's MVP and give it to Frank Thomas. By the way, many feel that Frank is an "iffy" Hall of Famer (I don't agree that there should be any question). However, if he has that third MVP, he's in on the first ballot. In other words, this could be huge for Frank.
As I said earlier, if something isn't done about all this, purists like myself (and there's many of us out there!) are just going to get more and more alienated from what has been both a sham and a shame. Bug Selig, you and your $18 million a year salary can go back to selling used cars. That's about all you're good for you yes-man weasel. I'm not normally a name caller, but I think it fits perfectly.
This is a huge mess. Do we not let anyone from this era into the hall of fame? Technically, they didn't cheat. MLB did not test for steroids at the time, so in a way, it was legal. I think they should allow these players in, but with in an asterisk. You really have no idea who from that era was clean and who wasn't.
Gig
How do you KNOW Frank didn't do anything. Just because he said at every opportunity he didn't do anything? Who does that sound like? No tests around at that time any way.
Unfortunately for this era of players, it's guilty until proven innocent.
...and I'm a huge Sox fan btw
A-Rod was the poster child for MLB. Selig, the NYY's & fans across the globe were counting on a "clean" A-Rod to take the two most cheerished records away from Bonds. Now there is no one.
It's a shock for most of us, because A-Rod never showed signs of usage. So if A-Rod did, it now becomes a question of who didn't do it rather than who did.
Fehr's bid to fight collusion this offseason just died, because the fans are going to blame the union a lot more than the owners now.
Tommy,
I appreciate that. In this day and age, people everywhere have become world champion liars. However, I believe Frank didn't because he's always been big. Remember, he once played TE for Auburn. He musculature also didn't have that typical "cut" look that is so prevalent amongst "juicers." I feel the same way about Jim Thome by the way. Jermaine Dye too! I do feel there are "non-juicer" producers out there.
I appreciate that. In this day and age, people everywhere have become world champion liars. However, I believe Frank didn't because he's always been big. Remember, he once played TE for Auburn. He musculature also didn't have that typical "cut" look that is so prevalent amongst "juicers." I feel the same way about Jim Thome by the way. Jermaine Dye too! I do feel there are "non-juicer" producers out there.
_______________________________________________
Sorry, don't buy it. A-Rod doesn't fit the look either but we know he's an abuser for at least a 3 year period. No one knows whether Frank is guilty or not. Stop making that lame argument. I'm a Frank Thomas fan but who can believe any of these guys. Heck, Palmeiro was angry and tested positive a few months later. He wasn't cut either. Whatever, who cares. I'm just glad that all of the clowns that were like the "great hope of baseball, A-Rod", "he'll take down Bonds" can shut up. I'm a Bonds guy, always will be.
Until the last couple of years Frank was merely in the conversation whenever it came to discussing the greatest hitters of his era.
It now appears that he stands alone.
MAROID STRIKES AGAIN! what a foolish man
If you want to beat up on the guy, let's go back to lashing him for sleeping with Madonna more than a coupla times. I wouldn't kick her out of bed for eating crackers, but you'd think the handsome young millionaire baseballer would have her singing "This Used to be My Playground" by now. Move on! She's ancient! And the media should move on too; this story is a nonstarter. Steroids weren't even illegal when he was using them. Crabby Golightly.com.
Oh wait a minute! Steroids weren't illegal in baseball at that time that's right they were just illegal in every other sport! That changes everything because baseball was still recovering from the strike that almost killed the game and needed something to re-ignite interest. Gee I'm sorry about everything I said in the previous thread on this subject. NOT! MLB created their own mess by looking the other way until the obvious could no longer be ignored.
Sorry, don't buy it. A-Rod doesn't fit the look either but we know he's an abuser for at least a 3 year period. No one knows whether Frank is guilty or not. Stop making that lame argument.
The argument for Frank does not require comparing physiques. Just look at his career arc. When young and strong, he was amazing. As he got older, his decline began, and continues to today. This is what happens to clean players -- they age naturally.
Second, Frank has been out in front of the steroid issue for a LONG time. He freely offered up his services to the Mitchell commission -- without any bombastic finger pointing, no "I'm not here to talk about the past" evasions, nor conveniently forgetting how to habla ingles. In spring training 2002 he was actively calling for steroid testing, because he hated how players with half his talent were putting up bigger numbers.
And I will suggest that A-Rod does look like a juicer. His body went from lanky to well muscled. Not everybody gets as big as a bodybuilder. It all depends on which drug you use, how much, and how your body responds to it.
Frank is clean. Now I'm looking forward to the day we discover Manny Ramirez has been cheating too. You will notice how his career numbers are not in decline at age 36...
From what I read, that entire era was tainted. Folks are angry and want to put a face on this but they are wrong. This was NORMAL practice for the sport at the time and NOT illegal. This goes way beyond those other 103 who tested positive. Had the powers that be done more tests, they would probably have netted 90% of the league. The game needed that "shot" in the arm and so they "winked" at it. Folks were cheering and celebrating these amazing feats and it was fun at the time and money at the box office. Players saw others getting accolades and paid and they started doing everything and anything to get an edge. Folks are up in arms, but they shouldn't be. If it wasn't illegal, then leave it alone and allow the records to stay. SPORTS have all kinds of stains and gray areas on them. Certain players "allowed" to play and others not, gambling, organized crime, drugs, and payoffs. If you cannot be 100% accurate about the era, either erase it all or keep it all - and that includes fan favorite - THE IRON MAN - Cal Ripken Jr.
And I love Frank Thomas, but there is no way to tell what he did. He might have used some stuff and stopped. Testing wasn't done because BASEBALL wouldn't allow it. White Sox had some players that tested positive in this Era. That era was like finding out that Gatoraide was laced with a performanced enhancer, and then have every player come forth and say "i didnt drink any gatoraide". Without a BLOOD TEST, there is no way to tell. And its wrong to hang the entire mess on the FEW that tested positive. Even that RAT Conseco said investigate the LEAGUE if you want the truth. He is angry because he felt singled out, and I felt for him until he started talking. Thats the equivalent of getting your arm cut off, and then pushing everyone else in the saw so that can get theirs cut off with yours. ONLY because it will make YOU feel better.
Now my real problem with A-rod's situation is with the LAW. Even Al Capone was treated more fairly. Look, i'm a Jack Baurer fan, but thats only when lives are on the line. If the players surrender their blood under seal and are told that the results will be destroyed, then that is what should happen. THATS why folks don't like police right now. And that is really a stain on our country worse than steriods.
did i really get censored for dissing Pelosi?
Roman responds Culzie, let's just keep it to sports today, ok? Please? There are a lot of sports stories to write about. Thanks.
"Roman responds Culzie, let's just keep it to sports today, ok?"
Riiight...and your topic about Elton John and Billy Joel is for what reason?
Keith - OMG - murder wasn't in the players union agreement either. Roids WITHOUT an Rx WERE AGAINST THE LAW. My 5th grader knows this.
Roman responds: Good call Tommy, but a concert at Wrigley is closer to sports than a political rant.
History will judge these cheaters. They will never enter the Hall of Fame and any records they broke will be erased. They tainted an entire era. How can a pro sports league not test for banned substances in 2000!? What a mockery. At least the Olympics does everything it can to keep cheating nobody's off its record books.
Beginning 2009 MLB Season:
Single Season Home Run Record: Roger Maris, 61
All time Home Run Leader: Hank Aaron, 755
Go to Hell A-Hole, McGuire, Bonds, Sosa, Giambi, Clemens, and all the rest who shot up to put out. Bury them with the Wall Street schisters who blew up the world economy
Tommie - if Arod broke the LAW, they have a right to come after him and anyone else who broke the law - they just have to make their case.
...so why did you write that it was wasn't illegal Keith??? you're thoroughly confusing me.
Frank's mistake in 2000 was to do his damage early, and stake the Sox to a comfortable lead. Then with the Sox cruising in the playoffs, Giambi caught fire and pushed Oakland into the playoffs too. What you do before August is not important to MVP voters. I give Frank an 85% chance of being clean, since he volunteered to go on the record. Of course it was convenient that they forgot he was the conference call when Sosa/Mac&Raffy were squirming before congress.
Did anyone notice A-Rod's eyes during the interview. Curious. They had, let's just say, a look not seen in any home I've lived in since my early college days.
Tommy, you want to debate semantics. How many folks got arrested from that era? "Roids WITHOUT an Rx" was likened to J-walking in that era. You know better, if you don't you need to study up on the issue. STEROIDS saved baseball. And ALL the same fans that were ready to walk away after the strike came back to the game to watch juiced players. The league allowed it because without it, there was a good chance that the league would not have survived. And EVERYONE had a blast! Owners, fans and players. Money was flowing like champagne! And then came the whistle blowers, (folks who got mad that records were being shattered at an alarming rate). And then investigations and scandal. ALL for nothing. Forget the purists who weep for Hank Aaron the good "guy" who always took all of your interview questions. He had his day...now move over Hank. It takes MORE than steriods to perform and the science supports that.
Its a big bunch of hypocrisy because the same writers and fans - LOVE football which is ridiculously rampant with drug use. Many of its HOF inductees were oozing with "performance inhancers". In fact, we have rooted for Olympic athletes and even HORSES that have been drugged. All for nothing. Theyre games and sports. We need to keep things in perspective and enjoy the show. Drugs should be banned, but the league must police it, not media and fans. We POLICE individuals.
And please don't bring up the kids. AMERICA has bigger problems than sports!! This is where Barkley is right, quit putting the onus on athletes and BE the EXAMPLE they need to see. If you are a selfish person, cheater, liar, drunkard, abuser, ect., all the baseball in the world wont save your kid. But if you are the polar opposite - studies show your kids have a great chance.
Keith
Don't need to study up ace - the only thing I could study up on is understanding your positions on various issues and how the tend to ebb and flow with the wind. Seeing how you view Chuck Barkley in such a light is truly admirable. I'll be sure to tell my kids to listen to him at every chance, espcially when they're around vegas and looking to score.