Many many players both in the bigs and the minors used steroids, but it´s striking how many stupendously talented players were users. In the last three or so decades, did anyone bring more talent to the game than Bonds or Alex? I don´t think so. And yet they filled their bodies with junk in a faustian pursuit of numbers that left both them and the game forever tainted. What a miserable way to go!
3
Let's look back at what is without a doubt the worst financial contract in history. A-Roid's contract is up and his agent while playing hardball with Yankee brass misses the window and starts looking elsewhere in MLB. Alex, hat in hand returns to the Yankees and explains that he wants to stay, even as the Yanks are looking for a new 3rd Baseman. At this point any realistic salary could have been offered, but somehow the Owners believed that their back was against the wall. Why? We may never know. How? Perhaps sheer stupidity. The Yankees then with the strong upper hand and full advantage get on their knees and offer this Cheater, more money than the ridiculous Texas Rangers contract that they only had to pay a portion of. No one could believe it. They easily could have lowered it to Jeter's salary, but for some reason forked over the largest contract at that time. Fans were disgusted. Alex must have been jubilant and who could blame him? We cannot hold it against him for the Yankees horrible decision making. He could not have thought that they would offer even more than the Rangers did while he was still in his prime years earlier.
I do not like any Pro Athlete that cheats with PED's. Every single one of them from Alex Rodriguez to David Ortiz should have their professional stats terminated from the record books. Every contract must have a clause that bans cheaters for life.
Still, it's not his fault that he is overpaid. That is the Yankees blunder. Please learn from it.
I do not like any Pro Athlete that cheats with PED's. Every single one of them from Alex Rodriguez to David Ortiz should have their professional stats terminated from the record books. Every contract must have a clause that bans cheaters for life.
Still, it's not his fault that he is overpaid. That is the Yankees blunder. Please learn from it.
1
Dear Mr. Glanville,
Thank you for your kind human essay about A-Rod.
Shall we always look for what is wrong, before we see what is right?
Pete Rose and the he boys, popped white crosses, the Babe drank and screwed, St. Joe D was a cheap, nasty man. ETC........
I don't care about any of it. If hitting was just a matter of injections....
Again, thank you for kindness and true understanding of what it s to be a PRO.
About his contract---- who, in his right mind would turn down 27 very large?
Thank you for your kind human essay about A-Rod.
Shall we always look for what is wrong, before we see what is right?
Pete Rose and the he boys, popped white crosses, the Babe drank and screwed, St. Joe D was a cheap, nasty man. ETC........
I don't care about any of it. If hitting was just a matter of injections....
Again, thank you for kindness and true understanding of what it s to be a PRO.
About his contract---- who, in his right mind would turn down 27 very large?
1
The rise and fall of Alex Rodriguez reminds me so much of the Rise and Fall of Darth Vader in the Star Wars trilogy. It is easy for a hero with a character flaw to go to a dark place. It is almost impossible for a person to achieve redemption once there. I am a Yankee fan and never was able to get past his dark side. I hope, unlike the story, that he is able to focus on something positive after his baseball career and achieve the redemption that the writer of this article identifies in his own eyes, and maybe for some of us that love baseball.
1
Like many who have abused their celebrity and are now only a public disgrace, A-Rod needs to go away and never be seen or heard from again. Keep him out the booth and the studio during all future games (esp. the post-season), no "where are they now" profiles, no Page 6 exposes. Media blackout and exile from the limelight. It's what needs to happen to many others too. It's a waste of time and attention, and can give credence to the disreputable. (next to the ashbin of history: Trump).
5
If there were drugs to take which improved my mind or my mental performance, or my work output, precision, performance, I'd be tempted. Not so much for athletic performance cuz that's not what I do.
In fact there are many such drugs. Nootropics. There will be more, rely on that. There are of course some dangers, some adverse effects particularly if overused, and often problems when we STOP taking them. So I stopped. Some of them are illegal too, not just against the league rules.
But it's naive to pretend to not understand A-Rod's experiments.
In fact there are many such drugs. Nootropics. There will be more, rely on that. There are of course some dangers, some adverse effects particularly if overused, and often problems when we STOP taking them. So I stopped. Some of them are illegal too, not just against the league rules.
But it's naive to pretend to not understand A-Rod's experiments.
2
This letter says it perfectly. A-Rods legacy is clear, all of it. He can create some real good now.
I couldn't care less about the Yankees or their $27 MIL, been toxic to me since Steinbrenner, but I care a lot about baseball and future generations of athletes.
I couldn't care less about the Yankees or their $27 MIL, been toxic to me since Steinbrenner, but I care a lot about baseball and future generations of athletes.
1
Doug, ARod, McGwire, Bonds, Sosa, Ryan Braun, etc. should all be banned for life. I used to think apologies and admissions would suffice. But this is not a civil rights issue. This is who Major League Baseball chooses to stupendously honor and remunerate. An employee of any other concern would be summarily fired for taking illegal drugs on the job. If they in addition denied it over and over and sneered at their accusers, as Braun did, or threatened their mistresses with death if they told the truth, for example, they would be ostracized. Baseball welcomes them back! Until we find another Kenesaw Mountain Landis to truly alter the cost-benefit analysis on PEDs, millions of kids will snarf them down. Why shouldn't they? Yankees fans cheered and cried last night as this fraud, who, for all we know, is still using, doubled home a run. All I felt was utter disgust. This is what the nation has become - so celebrity-obsessed that even cheating is AOK as long as it makes you famous for being well-known. Baseball could have nipped this in the bud by telling all players that they would face lifetime bans for first offenses, with all records expunged if they are found even suspect. It has decided not to take the needed action that WOULD solve this problem, as Landis solved the gambling problem almost completely for a century. They have decided to wink at 503-foot homers - for money. And so it will get worse and the record book will become meaningless. To hell with ARod.
2
Steroids may have given A Rod the strength but one must admire his technic and playing ability which does not come from steroids. If Steroids alone would make one a great ball player we would have hundreds on hand
You can't take away A Rod's greatness
You can't take away A Rod's greatness
3
He is just human after all with the faults that inherently come with it, and the living with the regrets, too, for some of the decisions that were made. We grow to expect more from our heroes and stars and when they fail to live up to those expectations, woe be to them. I watched him grow up with the Seattle Mariners and like everybody else was dismayed at his choices. There is nothing left but forgiveness and to wish him well on his path forward. It is reassuring to read something positive, thank you Doug Glanville.
3
The "upside" to A-Rod (as this article is entitled) is we have all bared witness to one of the greatest 5 tool players to ever lace up his spikes. They come around RARELY. Whether his career continues in uniform as a player is anyone's guess, but the profound greatness which Alex displayed at such a remarkable level for such a protracted amount of time makes him remarkably special and puts him in the Pantheon of baseball elite.
2
I myself would take Willie or the Mick anytime over A-Rod if we're choosing 5 toolers....
If I had a child, I'd much rather look to Doug Glanville's life and example for parental teaching moments than Alex Rodriguez.
4
"...tripping and falling..." is not akin to cheating.
I do not know Alex Rodriquez personally, of course, but his behavior on and off the field speaks for itself. He is one of the most gifted players I have seen, but it is impossible to ignore the character issues that have justly made him one of the most disliked players in baseball history. His long history of using PEDS while coldly denying allegations that he was using is well documented. We will never know what his real numbers are because the numbers Glanville cites are obviously fraudulent. Then there are the examples of his total lack of sportsmanship on the field and repeated reports of how Yankee teammates disliked him. I hope that he is never voted into the Hall of Fame because he has irreparably stained his own reputation, disqualifying himself both by his flagrant cheating and his general behavior.
2
Doug Glanville is easily the most astute and erudite baseball commentator working today. The Times should be proud to call him an associate.
8
The history of baseball, like almost every other human endeavor, includes those who took advantage of every possible way they could think of to game the system. When PEDs became the option of choice, Major League Baseball (and the hall of fame) looked the other way as long as the dollars were rolling in. It seems to me that Mr. Rodriguez got caught, admitted his errors, paid the price, and has conducted himself in an exemplary fashion ever since. That looks like personal redemption to me.
1
The upside is that a liar, cheat and thief is gone, that's all!
2
Way back in the day "Sports Illustrated" ran an article saying a large majority of Olympic class athletes said they would gladly take a drug that would guarantee a gold medal at the cost of an early death.
Had PEDS been available to them, would Mays, Aaron, Robinson, et al. have juiced to improve their already HoF numbers? I dunno. Maybe it's really about personalities, personal mores, personal goals and personal demons.
To borrow from Fitzgerald, world class athletes are different from you and me.
Had PEDS been available to them, would Mays, Aaron, Robinson, et al. have juiced to improve their already HoF numbers? I dunno. Maybe it's really about personalities, personal mores, personal goals and personal demons.
To borrow from Fitzgerald, world class athletes are different from you and me.
A-Rod is an unrepentant cheat! He's in the same class of cheaters as Bonds, Sosa and Clemens. At least McQwire, Canseco, Pettitte and Giambi had the courage to admit their steroid use.
2
Dear Doug Glanville,
This column shines for its empathy, its warmth, and because it raises questions that transcend the game of baseball. As a parent, you speak to many of us, and as a writer you speak to our common humanity. Thank you for a fine piece.
This column shines for its empathy, its warmth, and because it raises questions that transcend the game of baseball. As a parent, you speak to many of us, and as a writer you speak to our common humanity. Thank you for a fine piece.
6
There are many people who are not willing to forgive Bonds even though his use (never proven) came when major league tacitly approved steroids and everybody was doing it. A-Rod's cheating was much worse because it came after baseball got serious about steroids. Oh, but he's a Yankee so he deserves special treatment.
1
It's pro sports.
It's a meaningless story.
Other than the total corruption and the dedication to the worship of money no matter what the cost.
It's a meaningless story.
Other than the total corruption and the dedication to the worship of money no matter what the cost.
Great column, but premature. I don't think A-Rod is done yet. Fully expect him to be signed with the Rays or White Sox next year as a DH, hittin' dingers, and chasing Bonds, who was 44 when he finally hung it up. By that measure, A-Rod has another 2-3 seasons left, and should take full advantage.
Excellent!
1
In all the agony and ecstasy of being a Yankees fan in the era of A-Rod, two things have brought untainted joy:
1. My favorite Boston fans posting "FREAKIN' A-ROD" on social media when he worked his black magic against the Sox.
2. Doug Glanville's sterling columns.
May A-Rod find a way to put his baseball gifts to good use, may Doug Glanville keep writing, and may the Yankees now please, please move on.
1. My favorite Boston fans posting "FREAKIN' A-ROD" on social media when he worked his black magic against the Sox.
2. Doug Glanville's sterling columns.
May A-Rod find a way to put his baseball gifts to good use, may Doug Glanville keep writing, and may the Yankees now please, please move on.
3
Once a pious fraud, always one.
These attempts to reframe his legacy from a lying, cheating, selfish jerk are laughable. His teammates loved him? Tell that to the Rangers players who had a betting pool on how many games he'd cost his new team.
Nice try, Doug. Only in New York.
A-Fraud forever!
These attempts to reframe his legacy from a lying, cheating, selfish jerk are laughable. His teammates loved him? Tell that to the Rangers players who had a betting pool on how many games he'd cost his new team.
Nice try, Doug. Only in New York.
A-Fraud forever!
3
He's a cheater and a liar and I would not give him two cents for his advice.
But the Yankees are giving him $ 27 Million?
But the Yankees are giving him $ 27 Million?
10
They are not giving it to him out of the kindness of their hearts, they signed in to a contract and owe it to him. By keeping him on, they're simply trying to get something for their $27 mil.
If there was a drug would enhancee your performance, surely you wouldnt take. It, right. Bet you never told a lie, either.
WSJ article few years back, guy did a personal survey of 100 wallstreet execs, found that on any given day 58 were snorting blow, drinking, concluded that if the coke flow of coke was stopped, be a recession, and more than a few depressions.
Of course they never get busted, their young black dealer does.
WSJ article few years back, guy did a personal survey of 100 wallstreet execs, found that on any given day 58 were snorting blow, drinking, concluded that if the coke flow of coke was stopped, be a recession, and more than a few depressions.
Of course they never get busted, their young black dealer does.
1
It's called a contract. An agreement between two parties exchanging services for monetary compensation. The Yankees stupidly agreed to pay Mr. Rod $27 million through 2017 and he is willing to play next season to "earn" it. The fact that the team is no longer interested in his services does not relieve it of its obligations.
1
I actually had empathy for A-Rod at the end since he paid a huge price for the decision he made regarding steroid use. I think he has been castigated more than some other superstars in that regard but his lying and behavior after he was caught contributed to that most of all. One will never know if he could have been the same extraordinary player without steroid use. And that's the greatest loss for him, not the team the sportswriters nor the fans. He was not able to really retire with great admiration and respect for his accomplishments on the field and certainly not as a human being. And I find that rather sad.
25
I assume you feel the same way about Barry Bonds.
1
Since when is $200 million a huge price for anything but a 5th Ave. penthouse overlooking Central Park?
No. I wrote this way about A-Rod since I could follow him more closely since he played in New York.
Haven't heard much about his work last autumn as a commentator during the baseball playoffs. I found him surprisingly refreshing, a good interviewer, had some good insights, wasn't overbearing. I've never had a very positive impression of him because of the controversies that seem to make his life "All about me." But his work on TV was refreshing — not about him, but about the players he was interviewing, or about whom he was commenting. I was pleasantly surprised. Hopefully they will continue to hire him to do this job.
12
Words, words, words... Am I the only reader who wonders what the writer thinks Arod could or ought to do now to "redeem" himself? Specifics would be best, but a broad-brush description would do.
He should redeem himself by returning his salary. He really contributed very little when it counted.
2
I think it's "look forward and continually resolve to do good."
At least A-Rod had the dignity not to soak up the national retirement tour like Jeter. Now that was truly embarrassing. We are seeing more humanity and sincerity from A-Rod at this ending than at any point during his prior career.
12
Yeah! He sacrificed a lot. But the cheater sure didn't sacrifice the $27 million, even when not playing, did he?
Yep! He sure sacrificed a lot!
Yep! He sure sacrificed a lot!
Both Barry Bonds and Alex Rodriguez are very confusing and amazingly awesome. They come the closest to the five-tool majesty of a Willie Mays or a Hank Aaron or a Frank Robinson and were destined for the Baseball Hall of Fame without any PED "help".
Neither Bonds nor Rodriguez were a Sosa nor a McGuire nor a Giambi. But they were no Ken Griffey, Jr. nor Frank Thomas either. What drove them to cheat? Pride? Fame? Money? Jealousy? What difference does it make? Once a cheater are you always a cheater?
As a life long Chicago White Sox fan, I have always hated the New York Yankees and I have learned to also hate the Boston Red Sox and the San Francisco Giants. If ARod had sought out the White Sox or Cubs to play, then I might grant Pay Rod some redemption and forgiveness. But only if he bowed down on his knees and apologized and begged.
Neither Bonds nor Rodriguez were a Sosa nor a McGuire nor a Giambi. But they were no Ken Griffey, Jr. nor Frank Thomas either. What drove them to cheat? Pride? Fame? Money? Jealousy? What difference does it make? Once a cheater are you always a cheater?
As a life long Chicago White Sox fan, I have always hated the New York Yankees and I have learned to also hate the Boston Red Sox and the San Francisco Giants. If ARod had sought out the White Sox or Cubs to play, then I might grant Pay Rod some redemption and forgiveness. But only if he bowed down on his knees and apologized and begged.
3
Bonds steroid use came at a time when baseball openly tolerated if not encouraged it. A-Rod cheated after baseball got serious and, therefore, is less forgiveable.
3
The heedlessness, the headlong inertia players like A-Rod, Bonds and Clemens invested in their baseball identities is what is so destructive, especially for those coming up. I love baseball because it is the ultimate human theater: a great player fails two out of every three times. A great pitcher has to rely upon his offense to get him the win. To own that humanity is to have something to offer the people in your world. To poison yourself to gain an edge -- these guys will likely have significant health problem related to PEDs -- is to deny your own humanity and the humanity of those who struggle beside you. Because you know what? At the end of the day it is just a game, but the kids are the kids.
BTW, Mr. G., I love the way you write. You didn't get THERE by playing baseball, you decided to enlarge and enliven your world and I am grateful you did.
BTW, Mr. G., I love the way you write. You didn't get THERE by playing baseball, you decided to enlarge and enliven your world and I am grateful you did.
32
In the end, it's just baseball. A-rod didn't kill anyone, didn't start a war, didn't build a doomsday machine and threaten the world, he's not a Bond villain.
Throw the ball, hit the ball, catch the ball. That's it.
Throw the ball, hit the ball, catch the ball. That's it.
17
But don't shoot up with the juice!!!!
1
If a co-worker was in some way cheating and the cheating threatened your performance or job security, would you still have such a carefree attitude? No one would've died, no war would have been started, and no "doomsday machine" threatening the world would have been created as a result. Integrity matters.
5
A-Rod was absolutely gorgeous when he was playing. I've never seen such a natural baseball player as he. But his personal ethics will always tarnish my admiration of him. Jeter was never as talented as A-Rod, but he was all-class. I do hope A-Rod is able to redeem himself through working with young players. Thank you Mr. Glanville for another thoughtful opinion.
12
Bonds was way more exciting.
1
Mr. Glanville apparently has a more positive view of American youth than reality suggests.
Back in the 1990s when PEDs were first becoming an issue in baseball, I heard a minor league hitting coach speak. He was asked about PEDs and said he knew that there were players on his team who used them and he tried to convince them that they had no idea of the long-term health problems the use of these drugs might cause.
Their response was that making it to the majors was a life long dream and if they had to risk their health when they were in their 40s or 50s to do so, so be it. And if anyone believes this still isn't a prevalent view, one could ask why would anyone risk their brains and lives to play football now that we know about CTE.
If I was a young player listening to A-Rod, I might hear him say taking PEDs was wrong but I'd also see someone who made hundreds of millions of dollars from baseball and who, although being one of the most naturally gifted players in the history of the game, felt he needed to use PEDs. What message do you think young players will take home?
Back in the 1990s when PEDs were first becoming an issue in baseball, I heard a minor league hitting coach speak. He was asked about PEDs and said he knew that there were players on his team who used them and he tried to convince them that they had no idea of the long-term health problems the use of these drugs might cause.
Their response was that making it to the majors was a life long dream and if they had to risk their health when they were in their 40s or 50s to do so, so be it. And if anyone believes this still isn't a prevalent view, one could ask why would anyone risk their brains and lives to play football now that we know about CTE.
If I was a young player listening to A-Rod, I might hear him say taking PEDs was wrong but I'd also see someone who made hundreds of millions of dollars from baseball and who, although being one of the most naturally gifted players in the history of the game, felt he needed to use PEDs. What message do you think young players will take home?
27
If we are to believe Rodriguez, he only began taking steroids once he became a Texas Ranger - that is, after he signed a 252 million dollar contract. His talent already made him richer than any other ball player. He says the pressure of living up to that contract is what led to his steroid use. Perhaps there is a cautionary tale there that younger players might find constructive?
Very well written, Mr. Granville. I'm not an Arod fan, but the shame of his career is what might have been but for the drugs. Who wouldn't take the bet Arod wouldn't like to have made a different choice where the drugs are concerned. But he has an opportunity, now, to claim a far bigger legacy as the man who rid baseball, and the players, of drugs once and for all. No one could deny his greatness for that.
7
One can make the case that in the early years of the PED era, Major League Baseball's rules were unclear. But by the mid 00s, the rules were clear, yet A-Rod, and other ballplayers, continued to use PEDs. It comes down to the difference between right and wrong, and knowing that difference. I suggest to A-Rod that he go manage a Division III college team, or a Single A pro team--stay away from the Major Leagues for a while, shed sycophants and high-profile girlfriends. Teaching baseball at a level far below the Majors will lead to profound happiness. Good luck A-Rod; it'd be great not to hear about you for a few years.
20
Every person who has had a significant role in my life has brought me some pain with the joy. ARod, though I don’t know him personally, has done the same. Here’s to the joy.
23
Who are you writing about? People don't forget the evil you have done. For him, the best thing you can say, as opposed to Bonds, is that he got caught and admitted it. Who will look at the numbers at the Hall and remember him fondly? Where was Jeter last night? Ask him, if you will, how many hits, homers and rbi's he would have had without performance enhancing drugs.
4
A-Rod is a class act who unfortunately tried to cut some corners by doing what others were doing at the time to gain an edge. His personal tragedy is that he probably didn't need the boost drugs gave.
I remember how pitchers intentionally threw at him when he came back from suspension (they probably should have been ejected), but he stood firm in the batter's box because he had served his time.
Chevy
South Hadley, MA
I remember how pitchers intentionally threw at him when he came back from suspension (they probably should have been ejected), but he stood firm in the batter's box because he had served his time.
Chevy
South Hadley, MA
16
While there was a time when baseball tolerated steroid use, A-Rods use came well after Baseball had adopted a zero tolerance policy.
1
A class act does not cut corners when other do. He stands by the principles of decency and honesty.
3
It's important to leave the scene on the highest possible note. This is not easy when someone so talented retires. The opportunity to do something else is vital and essential. I'm glad A-Rod has the chance to continue to contribute. With time, his future achievements will show his skills as a perennial leader. We need more of them in all fields. We have so few in politics.
The writer is author of the new book: "2016 Selecting the President, The Most Important Decision You Will Ever Make. "
The writer is author of the new book: "2016 Selecting the President, The Most Important Decision You Will Ever Make. "
4
Politics are a much dirtier profession than baseball.
Thanks, Doug, for this generous and poignant article about A-Rod and his place in the sun.
10
The essential truth about A-Rod is that he had the talent to be the best ever and he wasted it.
9
No comments... i guess that says it all.
i always liked him despite the mistakes.
thanks for 2009.
what might have been? well if he hadn't been suspended he still wouldn't have caught Aaron. if he hadn't juiced he probably would have lost more time to injury... pretty much a wash i think.
if Mickey Mantle hadn't been injured... well then he wouldn't have been prescribed steroids... but i still love him.
i always liked him despite the mistakes.
thanks for 2009.
what might have been? well if he hadn't been suspended he still wouldn't have caught Aaron. if he hadn't juiced he probably would have lost more time to injury... pretty much a wash i think.
if Mickey Mantle hadn't been injured... well then he wouldn't have been prescribed steroids... but i still love him.
1
The Mick didn't use performance enhancing drugs.
He used performance reducing booze.
He used performance reducing booze.
10
There's a great New Yorker cartoon from some years ago in which a guy in a bar where a baseball game is being shown on the wall television says, "Laugh at me, if you will, but I would have LOVED to have seen Mickey Mantle on steroids...."
2
I'd like to think that A-Rod's career would cause MLB teams to examine their practice of signing players to long guaraneteed contracts without firm performance goals. But it won't because MLB has too much money sloshing around, pouring in from huge TV contracts and astonishing ticket prices.
6
The redemption tour begins, the campaign to get Rodriguez into the Hall of Fame. I'm forgiving as the next guy and he didn't murder anyone. All of what is written here may be true. But A-Rod was caught cheating. Twice. In the process he threw under the bus his biographer, Yankee doctors, his cousin, other Major League players who may have taken steroids, MLB and the players' union to make sure he got all of his money. He accomplished his goal and will get every last dime. His accomplices in the steroid era are: MLB and the owners led by the ethically challenged Bud Selig; the players' union which fought testing for years; players' agents; players, managers and coaches who knew what was going on; and many in the media who did not report on the scandal. All sides, including fans, are still rationalizing what happened. A-Rod being a "mentor" to Yankee prospects, along with coaching spots for Bonds, McGwire and Ramirez is an unspoken admission of guilt that the owners knew what was going on and did nothing to stop it. Getting these cheaters back as coaches and "mentors" is a long term effort on the part of MLB to get fans to forgive and forget a 20+ year era in baseball when cheating not only flourished it was encouraged. My view is these players have their money, which is what they always wanted, but should just go away. The same could be said for MLB owners and player agents involved, but that's not likely to happen either.
37
Maybe A-Rod can host a Russian tea party with his fellow cheaters, Sharpova and Efimova. He likes hot babes, right?
3
Thank you, Mr Glanville, for your reminiscences about Alex Rodriquez. I remember him as a Mariner and the scorn he received when he left for Texas with his unheard of contract. I didn't understand why there was so much disdain heaped upon him. Was he supposed to turn down the money? As if anyone else would have done the same. It felt disrespectful the way his career has ended with a whimper instead of a bang. I hope in time baseball will remember him more kindly as you have done with this peace. Thank you.
21
Mr. Glanville,
I have always respected your opinions, and love reading your op-ed writing in the NY Times (something that I cannot say about many others). However, from my seat on the couch, I strongly disagree with your assessment of Alex Rodriguez. I did not play with him, I was not his teammate however:
1 - He has never truly "come clean" about his use of PEDs. Contrast his comments with those of Andy Pettite, who also took PEDs, but came very clean.
2 - He never attempted to engender himself to the fans. This is somewhat less of an issue for you then for me, but nevertheless.
3 - His playing style, while great, especially early in his career, was too focused on self and not on team. To quote Bill Parcells, "Act like you've been there before"
I truly bemoan the fact that ARod took PEDs, he could have been, and should have been the greatest baseball player of all time.
Now, can you help baseball rehabilitate Shoeless Joe?
I have always respected your opinions, and love reading your op-ed writing in the NY Times (something that I cannot say about many others). However, from my seat on the couch, I strongly disagree with your assessment of Alex Rodriguez. I did not play with him, I was not his teammate however:
1 - He has never truly "come clean" about his use of PEDs. Contrast his comments with those of Andy Pettite, who also took PEDs, but came very clean.
2 - He never attempted to engender himself to the fans. This is somewhat less of an issue for you then for me, but nevertheless.
3 - His playing style, while great, especially early in his career, was too focused on self and not on team. To quote Bill Parcells, "Act like you've been there before"
I truly bemoan the fact that ARod took PEDs, he could have been, and should have been the greatest baseball player of all time.
Now, can you help baseball rehabilitate Shoeless Joe?
8
Jeff Schulman, bravo! One more point: Joe Girardi got tougher questions this week about playing Rodriguez than the player got from many of the same members of the media when he was caught cheating twice.
2
It seems the only heroes left are comic book concoctions on the big screen and even they have glaring faults. Maybe it is the age or the overall effect on baseball when the torch was passed from Mays, Koufax and company to guys like Bonds, Sosa and McGwire. Being a hero went from art to science. Shoeless Joe Jackson stood out as an abberation in his era. Doing the wrong thing seems now to have become the norm. The loss of heroes will have to be borne by modern athletes who forgot what heroism is and how it molds the perception of children looking naturally for role models that can be bigger than life. Cheating is not the lesson we wanted or needed. Naive? Perhaps. People who inspire our better traits are in short supply. I hope Rodriquez understands that and can turn what should be a sense of shame into something inspiring instead of just going on likes his tainted peers hoping simply that people will forget. Heroism was never about perfection. It was about traits that inspire. This is truly a second chance. But it must start with a heroic sense of honesty about damage done to a game, a promise to the next generation and a personal legacy.
3
A-Rod's legacy would be easier to predict if he had not spent so much time vigorously throwing people under the bus while denying the obvious. He has never, in my opinion, satisfactorily made amends for trying to tarnish so many people who were telling the truth about his use of PEDs. Such behavior requires far more of him, but he has yet to show the personal character to do so.
16
JR - exactly my point. Bravo.
3
Personally I wish A-Rod the best, and I feel privileged to have watched him play at his prime. It's a great shame that he succumbed to the lure of PEDs, and it has tarnished what should have been, and was in fact, a spectacular career - but at the same time let's not forget the period and its temptations. He was far from the only one, and as been often pointed out, many other great players had a little help too. Amphetamines were rampant during the 70s but we haven't demonized the players who used them, simply because at the time it never made it into the news cycles. This is a relatively recent phenomenon, drug
cheating as public scandal, and very appealing to the prim scolds among us who thrive on public lynching. But ok, of course, let's try and rid the sport of it; ideally the playing field should be level, plus there are health risks that we don't want our sports playing children to take. But the truth is that A-Rod has been one of the greatest baseball players of our time, and should be remembered as such.
cheating as public scandal, and very appealing to the prim scolds among us who thrive on public lynching. But ok, of course, let's try and rid the sport of it; ideally the playing field should be level, plus there are health risks that we don't want our sports playing children to take. But the truth is that A-Rod has been one of the greatest baseball players of our time, and should be remembered as such.
14
what an intelligent tribute!
5
Last year, A-Rod became my example of an all-star sports commentator. I will watch him and learn from him everyday. Imagine what he can do for players! Alex Rodriguez has my respect as a player, commentator and a man. I hope to see him for many years to come.
4
Excellent column as usual from the most thoughtful ex-player the game has.
6
Regardless of how you see Rodriguez' career, it's over now, and the man, like all of us, has flaws. Redemption is a powerful force to turn those flaws into lessons, those lessons into guidance, and the guidance, we hope, into the wisdom that keeps the player on the hard road of integrity. Yes, Rodriguez has the power to change people's perception of who he was into who he is now. Other players have done it. I wish him success.
8
As far as I know performance enhancing drugs do not enhance your eye hand coordination. You have to see the ball to hit it and Alex did that for over 3000 hits and 696 home runs. So if steroids gives the home run hitter a few more feet or the single turned into a double, okay, but you first have to hit the ball and few have ever done it better then Alex. So for those who find Alex's behavior flawed, enjoy this farewell day, but for those who recognize greatness Alex will endure long into the future
10
No sir it is not OK. And that stanf on its own. But if you need some kind of reason for not being OK--If nothing else it inflates other stats.
A-Rod might wish to contemplate the ignominious "comeback" of Babe Ruth after the Yankees cut him loose in 1934.
Babe signed on with the feckless Boston Braves.
During the first two months of the season he hit seven singles and four home runs, compiling a batting average of .181
At that point, on May 30, 1935, Ruth retired once and for all.
A-Rod has accumulated an outsized number of dents in his reputation.
He should avoid adding to that list.