This is an atrocious post and it represents the sentiments of some Americans and some Dominicans; ?he is not __________, he is ___________? as if nationality plays a role in a person?s moral or ethical decisions. What Alex Rodriguez did is wrong, but who is it hurting? Did it hurt Baseball? Merchandise sales? Or his income? The answer to all three is no, it did not hurt anyone.
Players? trying to one up the competition is normal in sports; baseball is just creating all of this hype for more attention. When a football player tests positive for a banned substance it is reported to the media and then dealt internally, the commissioner does not have to waste tax payers? money with a congressional hearing. The truth is baseball has been tainted since the 1970s and maybe even before, it has never been a clean game. Mike Schmidt wrote in his book "Clearing the Bases" about the use of greenies (amphetamines) during his playing days. The home run chases of the late 1990s and early 2000s are the only reasons why people care about the sport if it hadn?t been for the likes of McGuire, Sosa, Tejada, Giambi, and Rodriguez the general population would not care about the sport.
If Alex Rodriguez told the whole truth during his press conference, which is something I doubt, then the use of ?boli? which could be the Dominican version of primabol then it is not an illegal substance. Primabol can be purchased over the counter or online in the US. I didn?t see the conference because I do not care about baseball or Alex Rodriguez; what I do care about is this perception by some Americans to now disown him as another immigrant that lied and cheated his way to the top.
There is no proof that steroid helps you hit homeruns since it does not improve hand-eye coordination. Alex Rodriguez might be the biggest field position player to test positive, but we can forget about Roger Clemens who probably ended his career because of the scrutiny if his name was not leaked he would have probably tried to come back and pitch for another $20 million plus. Rodriguez is one of 104 players that tested positive, we do not know if there is another star on that list or if one was an up and comer that today is a star so if you believe: ?I forgive Alex for letting down future ballplayers- as long as he retires IMMEDIATELY? then the rest of the 103 should do the same.
The clear fact of this controversy is that people are jealous of Alex Rodriguez and he has had a lot of hatred since his days at Seattle. People can?t fathom a person achieved such a level of success at an early age. He did not kill, rape, or beat someone; want Kobe was accused of is worse, what Chris Brown did this week is worse, what many politicians and CEOs in the US and DR do is worse. It?s sad that the media and people care more about Alex Rodriguez and his downfall than the stimulus package, or that CEOs of the failed banks and financial industry sectors are selling their homes for $100 dollars to their wives in order to hide their assets (Lehman Brothers Chief Executive Richard Fuld), or that Madoff is still living is a nice Apartment in the UES.
Many people have done worse to advance in their careers. I can understand
why he did what he did especially since he wanted a big contract in order to secure his and his family?s future. I don?t believe any athlete should earn the amount of money they make, but the fact is the baseball owners and corporations do not care about them they only see them as ?assets? and when that asset doesn?t produce anymore or gets injured they get cut and without an income. I think baseball players get guaranteed contracts, but in other sports they are not as lucky.
If you truly hate Alex Rodriguez for what he did than look inside your closet and of your family members, and see if you don?t have any skeletons. If you don?t have any then you can judge but if you or your love ones do then stop being a hypocrite. I know people whose children are criminals yet they defend their kids because it?s their blood, yet when they see some other person get charged with the same crime they call them criminals. Humans are hypocrites and that is what I am see when I read these hateful posts and opinions.
I do not feel sorry for Alex Rodriguez or condone his actions, but I do not throw stones at him because what he ultimately did does not hurt society.
P.S. I agree with Nals and Berzin for having sensible posts.