A-Rod's Press Conference Puts Saga to an End ... For Me
Everyone deserves a second chance
Posted on Wednesday, February 18, 2009 at 11:45 AMAs I watched Alex Rodriguez choke back tears and struggle through Tuesday's press conference at George M. Steinbrenner field, I couldn't help but believe him. But maybe that's just who am I ... perhaps I am too quick to forgive.
Whether it's Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Brian McNamee or even Jose Canseco, I've been somewhat quick to offer up the benefit of the doubt. And although I know they've all lied at some point or another, I whole-heartedly believe they each deserve a second chance.
Like Pete Rose deserves to be forgiven for his mistake, A-Rod also deserves to be forgiven for his. Unfortunately, despite being more truthful, upfront and forthcoming thanany other suspected steroid user in baseball, he's been met with hatred, scorn and 100 percent disbelief.
I think teammate Johnny Damon said it best when he said, "it could have been worse ... murder is worse."
What A-Rod did from 2001 to 2003 is nothing to be proud of, but it's certainly not worth making such a spectacle over. In fact, in the grand scheme of things, it's not even worth noting. And years from now, when we look back at this and compare it with the current state of things across America, we're probably going to laugh and wonder why such a big deal was made over something that really wasn't relevant at all.
Willie Stargell once said, "Whenever people talk about baseball, they don't say, 'Work ball.' They say, 'Play ball.' ''
Baseball may be a business, but we are quick to forget that it's also just a game. And just because 104 people failed a steroid test in 2003, doesn't mean the fans will stop coming. In fact, the "juiced era" was arguably the best in baseball history.
Yes, in the end, this will give baseball a black eye. But ask yourself, "Does that really matter?"
I may be alone in this, but it really doesn't matter to me. If these guys want to use steroids and ruin their lives, fine ... do it. I don't care. I've seen the names of known juicers and it's become apparent to me that they don't make you super human as some media sources would have you believe. There are just as many, if not more, no-namers as superstars on that list.
The bottom line is that most people really don't care. This steroid watch has become nothing more than a witch hunt. The media and fans alike are using it as an opportunity to go after players and teams they don't like. If everyone really cared about this as much they say they do, they'd be calling for the other 103 names on that list to be released. They'd also be putting pressure on baseball to release any and all information they have on known steroid users and dealers.
Instead ... instead, we're watching a Spring Training press conference with Alex Rodriguez and analyzing every blink he makes, looking for that very moment where someone can proclaim "liar!"
As far as I'm concerned, A-Rod has put this to bed. I'm sure the rest of the media and most non-Yankees fans will disagree, but it's over for me. The third baseman has taken his lumps, admitted to more than he needed to and now it's time to move on.
Who wants to talk a little baseball?
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