It’s spring, and a young man’s fancy turns toward … steroids.
After all, it would not officially be spring training without a member of the Yankees standing in front of the media and ’fessing up about his use of illegal substances.
First there was slugger Jason Giambi. He was followed to the microphones by Andy Pettite.
But yesterday the scene was taken to a new level. That’s because the man many believe to be the best player in the game was the one falling on his shield.
Alex Rodriguez, whose familiar A-Rod moniker has added a vowel from Pat and Vanna, turning it into a derisive A-Roid, admitted his past indiscretions when it comes to illegal substances.
Rodriguez said he was a naïve kid who made a “stupid mistake” when he allowed his cousin to inject him with performance-enhancing drugs.
But Rodriguez was not alone. Not in front of the cameras, but off to the side, a gallery of Bronx Bombers sat stone-faced in a show of support for one of their own. Chief among them was Yankees captain Derek Jeter. He was joined by Mariano Rivera, Andy Pettite and Jorge Posada.
Give A-Rod credit for this: While some refer to him as A-Fraud, he wasn’t looking to dodge any bullets yesterday. He was the only one in front of the microphones.
The problem for baseball is that he was not the only one on the list of players that are believed to have tested positive back before baseball actually instituted a testing program and banned steroids and a list of other performance-enhancing drugs.
The question now is how much damage has been done, and what do you do with the pumped-up statistics from what now can realistically be called the Steroid Era?
And can anyone justify why Rodriguez undoubtedly will be in the Yankees starting lineup on opening day, while Phils reliever J.C. Romero, who tested positive for a banned substance that he picked up at a GNC and claims he was told would not cause him any problems, will sit out the first 50 games of the Phils season.
The real answer to this question is this: There is a shadow over the game, and the numbers that play such a pivotal role in its legacy.
But will fans stay away? Unlikely. The world champion Phillies will put single-game tickets on sale tomorrow morning. They’ll likely be snapped up in minutes. What, you were thinking fans will stay away to protest Romero’s use of a banned substance?
Likewise, don’t hold your breath waiting for Yankees to suddenly boycott the pinstripes and ignore the brand, spanking new stadium they just built.
We will complain about the game. Then continue to tune in, buy tickets, wear our gear, check the list of giveaway days.
We’ll also continue to debate the value of pumped-up statistics and whether the guilty or those believed to be guilty deserve a spot in the Hall of Fame. That’s what fans do.
The game will continue. People will arrive in Clearwater in droves next week for spring training. Citizens Bank Park will be jammed on opening day. The Phils almost assuredly will set a new attendance mark this year.
A-Rod will pick up his asterisk, along with his glove, and trot back out to his spot at third base.
And we’ll wait for the next player to join him in the Hall of Shame.
After all, it would not officially be spring training without a member of the Yankees standing in front of the media and ’fessing up about his use of illegal substances.
First there was slugger Jason Giambi. He was followed to the microphones by Andy Pettite.
But yesterday the scene was taken to a new level. That’s because the man many believe to be the best player in the game was the one falling on his shield.
Alex Rodriguez, whose familiar A-Rod moniker has added a vowel from Pat and Vanna, turning it into a derisive A-Roid, admitted his past indiscretions when it comes to illegal substances.
Rodriguez said he was a naïve kid who made a “stupid mistake” when he allowed his cousin to inject him with performance-enhancing drugs.
But Rodriguez was not alone. Not in front of the cameras, but off to the side, a gallery of Bronx Bombers sat stone-faced in a show of support for one of their own. Chief among them was Yankees captain Derek Jeter. He was joined by Mariano Rivera, Andy Pettite and Jorge Posada.
Give A-Rod credit for this: While some refer to him as A-Fraud, he wasn’t looking to dodge any bullets yesterday. He was the only one in front of the microphones.
The problem for baseball is that he was not the only one on the list of players that are believed to have tested positive back before baseball actually instituted a testing program and banned steroids and a list of other performance-enhancing drugs.
The question now is how much damage has been done, and what do you do with the pumped-up statistics from what now can realistically be called the Steroid Era?
And can anyone justify why Rodriguez undoubtedly will be in the Yankees starting lineup on opening day, while Phils reliever J.C. Romero, who tested positive for a banned substance that he picked up at a GNC and claims he was told would not cause him any problems, will sit out the first 50 games of the Phils season.
The real answer to this question is this: There is a shadow over the game, and the numbers that play such a pivotal role in its legacy.
But will fans stay away? Unlikely. The world champion Phillies will put single-game tickets on sale tomorrow morning. They’ll likely be snapped up in minutes. What, you were thinking fans will stay away to protest Romero’s use of a banned substance?
Likewise, don’t hold your breath waiting for Yankees to suddenly boycott the pinstripes and ignore the brand, spanking new stadium they just built.
We will complain about the game. Then continue to tune in, buy tickets, wear our gear, check the list of giveaway days.
We’ll also continue to debate the value of pumped-up statistics and whether the guilty or those believed to be guilty deserve a spot in the Hall of Fame. That’s what fans do.
The game will continue. People will arrive in Clearwater in droves next week for spring training. Citizens Bank Park will be jammed on opening day. The Phils almost assuredly will set a new attendance mark this year.
A-Rod will pick up his asterisk, along with his glove, and trot back out to his spot at third base.
And we’ll wait for the next player to join him in the Hall of Shame.
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