Chick On Sports

I can’t help but wonder if someday in the not-so-distant future will a day pass when there isn’t yet another MLB star being outed for using steroids or HGH?

Today’s big story? A-Fraud is back. According to a report on SI.com, 4 independent sources have confirmed that Rodriguez tested positive for steroids in 2003 while playing for the Texas Rangers. Coincidentally, the same year he was awarded the league MVP.

Barry Bonds, Jose Canseco, Roger Clemons, Jason Giambi, Mark McGwire, and now Alex Rodriguez are just a few of the current and former MLB players that have been linked to steroid use.

I’m currently working on a post that addresses the bigger issue of steroids in baseball, but for today I’ll focus on A-Fraud (I thank Joe Torre everyday for providing me with that term!)

What a fall from grace…

I was living near Seattle when he was drafted by the Mariners at 18 years old. At that time he was the golden boy of Major League Baseball. He was young and good-looking, seemed to have a good attitude and he performed his job exceptionally well for such young man.

So well he nearly won the MVP title in his first full MLB season (1996). At that time he was a productive young member playing on a team of all-star vets like Ken Griffey, Jr. and Randy Johnson. Then Johnson and Griffey left town and he was the sole remaining superstar in the Emerald City.

That’s when it seemed to go to his head. After the 2000 season, A-Fraud signed the biggest deal in pro-sports history. A 10-year $252 million contract to play for the Texas Rangers. Now, I’m all for an athlete striking while the iron is hot. There are a limited number of years that a professional sports career can last and they owe it to themselves to make the most of it, so let me make it clear that my disdain for A-Fraud isn’t because he has been able to cash in on his success or that he hasn’t been loyal to one team.

My issue with him is that he, by several accounts, is a complete jackass. Once he signed that lucrative contract with the Rangers that sweet, charming kid who just happened to be a phenomenal baseball player changed.

Long before his fling with Madonna and this evidence on his alleged steroid use came to light his imaged had become quite tarnished. The biggest turning point for me?

Remember his children’s book, Out of the Ballpark? Rodriguez was all over the t.v. talk show scene promoting its release. He gushed about his kids and his wife. You would have thought he was such a dedicated, down-to-earth family man. Then just months later he got caught cozying up to a Toronto stripper while on a road trip.

When will athletes learn? By now we aren’t surprised to hear you’ve been caught in an extra-marital affair. But when you blab to anyone with a microphone or t.v. camera about what a great family man you are and how dedicated you are to your wife and kids it’s a little annoying when weeks later you get caught with your pants down.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m fully aware that your personal life is none of my business. But don’t publicly put yourself up on a pedestal and and then whine when we show interest when you fall off of it.

In an interview with Sports Illustrated (before the stripper scandal) A-Fraud had this to say,

News flash A-Fraud… People write bad things about you because you don’t conduct yourself with dignity and respect. If you give us ammo, we’ll use it.

For many fans who were willing to overlook his marital transgressions and hypocrisy, A-Fraud’s handling of his 2007 contract op-out was the last straw.

Add to that his rumored affair with Madonna, Joe Torre’s less-than appealing depiction of Rodriguez in his new book, and now this steroid controversy, I would be shocked if Alex Rodriguez’s reputation ever recovers.

Here is a 2007 interview with Katie Couric. Notice the twitch of his mouth and the frequent blinking? Some might say those are signs that someone isn’t telling the truth…

There is a good chance that by the time his career is said and done, Alex Rodriguez will have added to his list of MLBA records and firsts. Now the debate begins as to whether or not he should get credit for them because of steroid use.