A-Rod cops a plea for leniency
Alex Rodriguez on steroids? Say it ain't so.
Unless you live in a cave, you've heard by now that Sports Illustrated outed A-Rod for steroid use in his playing days with the Texas Rangers. On Monday, Rodriguez came clean in an interview with ESPN's Peter Gammons.
Rodriguez was one of 104 players that were said to have flunked the steroids test back in what was supposed to be an anonymous report. Of course, A-Rod was the biggest name, hence Sports Illustrated's lust spilling the beans. One can't help by get Don Henley's "Dirty Laundry" song stuck in your head when thinking about the SI article.
Don't get me wrong. "With my best Mr. Macky (South Park), impersonation: "Steroids ... bad. Lying about taking steroids ... bad."
A-Rod, however, misguided in thinking he needed to cheat (he was already arguably the most talented player in baseball even before 2001), needed to come clean and he did. For that, he must be commended.
Rodriguez still has several good seasons left as a player, barring injury, and his legacy in the game will be up to the Hall of Fame voters five years after he retires. If A-Rod would have continued to deny the allegations, aka Mark McGuire, Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens, then his legacy is tarnished.
At least by admitting his faults, he still has a chance. After all, all you have to do in some political circles these days is say it was an "honest mistake" and that you are sorry and you get a free ride.
I'd say that A-Rod should be given the same opportunity.
Unless you live in a cave, you've heard by now that Sports Illustrated outed A-Rod for steroid use in his playing days with the Texas Rangers. On Monday, Rodriguez came clean in an interview with ESPN's Peter Gammons.
Rodriguez was one of 104 players that were said to have flunked the steroids test back in what was supposed to be an anonymous report. Of course, A-Rod was the biggest name, hence Sports Illustrated's lust spilling the beans. One can't help by get Don Henley's "Dirty Laundry" song stuck in your head when thinking about the SI article.
Don't get me wrong. "With my best Mr. Macky (South Park), impersonation: "Steroids ... bad. Lying about taking steroids ... bad."
A-Rod, however, misguided in thinking he needed to cheat (he was already arguably the most talented player in baseball even before 2001), needed to come clean and he did. For that, he must be commended.
Rodriguez still has several good seasons left as a player, barring injury, and his legacy in the game will be up to the Hall of Fame voters five years after he retires. If A-Rod would have continued to deny the allegations, aka Mark McGuire, Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens, then his legacy is tarnished.
At least by admitting his faults, he still has a chance. After all, all you have to do in some political circles these days is say it was an "honest mistake" and that you are sorry and you get a free ride.
I'd say that A-Rod should be given the same opportunity.
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