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A-Rod Regrets Roids, Reviles Reporter
By
Jen Chung
Published Feb 10, 2009
Modified Feb 10, 2009
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By
Jen Chung
Published Feb 10, 2009
Modified Feb 10, 2009
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Alex Rodriguez said, "I was stupid for three years. I was very, very stupid," when discussing his steroid usage with ESPN's Peter Gammons. Over the weekend, reports broke out that the Yankees slugger tested positive for steroids during his days on the Texas Rangers. A-Rod added, "When I arrived in Texas in 2001, I felt an enormous amount of pressure. 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." [Entire video of the interview after the jump.]
Rodriguez claims he only found out he had tested positive back in 2003 when Sports Illustrated reporter Selena Roberts contacted him, "To be quite honest, I don't know exactly what substance I was guilty of using," and suggested a tainted supplement he took caused the positive test result—an explanation some experts don't buy. Rodriguez did repeatedly show remorse, "I did take a banned substance. And for that, I am very sorry and deeply regretful," but was upset about Roberts:
"What makes me upset is that Sports Illustrated pays this lady, Selena Roberts, to stalk me. This lady has been thrown out of my apartment in New York City. This lady has five days ago just been thrown out of the University of Miami by police for trespassing. And four days ago, she tried to break into my house where my girls are up there sleeping, and got cited by the Miami Beach police. I have the paper here.
"This lady is coming out with all these allegations, all these lies, because she's writing an article for Sports Illustrated and she's coming out with a book in May. Really respectable journalists are following this lady off the cliff and following her lead. And that, to me, is unfortunate."
However, Newsday reports that Roberts denies the allegations and Sports Illustrated stands behind her, "I've never set foot in the lobby of Alex's New York apartment. I've never set foot on his property. It's pure fabrication...I think it's a diversion, a shoot-the-messenger type of thing."
The Yankees issued a statement, "Although we are disappointed in the mistake he spoke to today, we realize that Alex -- like all of us -- is a human being not immune to fault... We support Alex, and we will do everything we can to help him deal with this challenge and prepare for the upcoming season" (the NY Times points out Hank Steinbrenner, Brian Cashman and Joe Girardi still haven't commented.)
Rodriguez's public mea culpa is getting some praise: Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Maryland) who has been on congressional committees about steroid use said, "While I was disappointed to learn that Alex Rodriguez tested positive for steroid use, I admire him for demonstrating the courage to come forward and be honest. We are all guilty of making mistakes, but what distinguishes a hero is the ability to acknowledge those mistakes and the commitment to learn from them." But fans—many are not happy and even President Obama said it was a "depressing" admission.
Tagged
a-rod
alex rodriguez
baseball
Sports Illustrated
steroids
Yankees
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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