Really A-Rod? Really?

By: Kevin Traynor

The first day of the Yankee’s spring training has become a day where the latest Yankee admits and apologizes for using performance enhancing drugs. Last year was Andy Pettitte’s turn. This year, it was A-Rod’s.

“I knew we weren’t taking Tic Tac’s,” said Rodriguez in his press conference in Tampa.

Rodriguez at Tampa press conference

A-Rod admitted to using “Boli” from 2001-2003, which he also claimed his cousin purchased over-the-counter in the Dominican Republic.

However, in an interview for ESPNdeportes.com, Dr. Pia Veras who is an official for a pharmaceutical regulatory agency in the Dominican Republic said that Primobolan or “Boli” was not available during the period that A-Rod claims.

“It is important for us to clarify that such substance has not been registered and is not currently registered for legal sale in Dominican pharmacies—not now and the years 2001-2003,” Veras said.

Unlike Primobolan, a different steroid was available for purchase over-the-counter: Testosterone.

ESPN Deportes went on to identify Rodriguez’ cousin as Yuri Scurat. They called his residence, and his wife identified him as the man referred to as A-Rod’s cousin.

 

Angel Persinal

In addition to the Primobolan confusion, it was discovered that Rodriguez had been working out with Angel Persinal: a trainer from the Domincan Republic who was mentioned in the Mitchell Report for steroid connections, and banned from every Major League ball park in 2001.

According to ESPN, Persinal is connected with many Domincan baseball players including Francisco Cordero, Robinson Cano and David Ortiz.

“This place where he works out is a facility that’s like five minutes away from my house,” Ortiz said, according to the Boston Herald. “It’s like an Olympic place where everyone goes and hits, runs, gets all their work in. It’s like in the middle of everyone’s houses, so we all go down there and work out. He’s a good trainer. He’s the guy that teaches you how to train, how to get your body ready to go. Besides that, I have no idea about any of this.”

Persinal admitted to working out with A-Rod in accordance with the years in question.

A-Rod aimed to clear the air with his press conference, but in doing so has poked more holes in his story. Many fans still remain skeptical as a result.

“I love A-Rod, but he has to stop lying,” said Katie Melia who is a die-hard A-Rod supporter and Johns Hopkins student. “He would’ve been better off if he followed in Andy’s (Pettitte) footsteps, and told the whole truth. We probably would have forgiven him.”

But maybe A-Rod is right. Maybe we should just worry about his career from this day forward.

 

Steroids Aren’t a Big Deal, Right?

By: Kevin Traynor

Who is arguably better than that Ruth guy, has a chance to surpass Bonds on the all-time home runs list, and a three time American League MVP, but has allegedly taken steroids? Answer: Alex Rodriguez.

Sports Illustrated has reported that the Yankee’s third baseman tested positive for two forms of anabolic steroids during his 2003 AL MVP season with the Texas Rangers.

 

Rodriguez with the Rangers

The testing occurred during a period when the MLB was in its infancy of deciding whether to implement a league drug testing policy. Although A-Rod failed the drug test, no penalties were issued because baseball had not set up regulations.

Selena Roberts of SI asked Rodriguez for a comment, but he declined.

“You’ll have to talk to the union,” Rodriguez said.

Already amply disliked by the candid crowds found at hallowed Yankee Stadium for his post season performances, or lack thereof, A-Rod now has to battle a whole new batch of insults.

“What are we calling him these days,” said Jim Traynor, an avid Mets fan. “Is it A-Rod or A-Roid? Personally, I like the latter.”

As bad as this is for A-Rod’s image, it has to be worse for Major League Baseball.

It seems that the nation has quickly forgotten Barry Bonds’ days as a Pittsburgh Pirate where he was a wiry kid who led the league in steals. A few years, and  a few pounds of muscle later, Bonds now faces federal perjury charges for his involvement in steroids.

“Since the whole Bonds controversy, A-Rod was supposed to be baseball’s saving grace,” said Nick Romeo, a junior at Marist College. “He was supposed to prove that you didn’t need steroids to put up the numbers. I guess, maybe, you do.”

 

According to the SI report, there are 104 names on the list aside from Rodriguez’. Many of A-Rod’s current and past teammates were already mentioned in the Mitchell Report last year.

 

A-Rod at batting practice with the Yankees

Perhaps we should affix asterisks to the records set during this ‘Steroid Era’ of baseball like we did to the man who had the longest tenure as record holder for single season home runs: Roger Maris.

“Baseball doesn’t need records to be broken in order to be exciting,” said Marco Veintimilla, a junior football player at Marist College. “It needs to exalt players like Ken Griffey Jr. who have put up monster numbers, but have lacked the notoriety that the steroid guys got. We need to talk up the people who did it right.”

For now, we are left with tainted heroes, who despite what the record books say, may not even garner entry into Cooperstown.

The old Yankee Stadium had a section called the ‘Bleacher Creatures’ who sat out in right field, and would chant the names of their favorite players until they acknowledged them. This summer, I doubt they’ll be chanting A-Rod. Maybe they’ll chant “A-Roid!”