A-rod, A-Fraud, A-roid, etc.

Unless you've been living under a rock this past weekend, everyone knows that Alex Rodriguez, 3rd baseman for the New York Yankees, took steroids in 2003. 4 Sources confirmed that Arod had tested positive for testosterone and Primobolan in the random testing in 2003. Somehow it got leaked that Arod was one of 104 players who tested positive for steroids, even though it was supposed to be an anonymous survey. We all see how well that worked out. Everyone's been talking about this now. Various responses include "I always knew he was taking steroids!" or "I don't believe it. Arod never took steroids." Well, it's now been confirmed that he was taking them from 2001 to 2003.

He says, "When I arrived in Texas in 2001, I felt an enormous amount of pressure," Rodriguez said. "I felt like I had all the weight of the world on top of me, and I needed to perform -- and perform at a high level -- every day." He even apologized, "I'm sorry for that time, I'm sorry to my fans, I'm sorry to my fans in Texas. It wasn't until then that I ever thought about substances of any kind. Since then, I've proved to myself and to everyone that I don't need any of that."

Here are some thoughts...

-First off, I was really disappointed when I heard the news. Arod's always been a big guy and a great player, but I, as well as many others I'm sure, just assumed he was a really hard worker. Well, he still is a hard worker and still has loads of talent, but he also got a little help.
-While some people are rejoicing over this news (mainly Red Sox fans, and other Yankee haters), I think it's silly to rejoice. If Manny Ramirez or Kevin Youkilis or Big Papi had tested positive for steroids, I wouldn't be ecstatic. It's a sad day when a baseball player tests positive for performance-enhancing drugs because it just ruins the sport. It especially sucks when one of baseball's most talented players admits to using steroids.
-What I want to know is why this survey was leaked. The players were assured it would be confidential and nobody would know the results.
-I'm happy Arod admitted that he did use steroids - he saved some of his dignity and satisfied those who were still willing to support him. I, for one, forgive him for using them. I'll never look at him the same way again, but he's a Yankee and I'm a Yankee fan and I want to see him do well - just not on steroids.

Meanwhile, pitchers and catchers report this Friday and the first exhibition game is on February 25. I'm so excited for baseball season, even with all of this drama surrounding Arod!