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Hall of Fame baseball writer Hal McCoy is in his 36th year of covering the Cincinnati Reds, the longest tenure for any active writer covering one team. Counting spring training and postseason games, McCoy has covered more than 7,000 major-league baseball games, written close to 18,000 baseball stories and eaten enough hot dogs to give Babe Ruth indigestion.Home > Blogs > The Real McCoy | Cincinnati Reds baseball news > Archives > 2009 > February > 10 > Entry
Torre had it right: A-Fraud
Now we know why A-Fraud or A-Ro(i)d or A-God is chasing Madonna. Maybe the ‘roids made him do it.
Whatever it was, Alex Rodriguez only looked foolish abandoning his wife to make Madonna his designated hitter.
Now he looks stupid.
After denying it at least twice on national television, A-Fraud admitted this week that, yes, he was a steroid user, when he played for the Texas Rangers.
He said he felt pressure from signing that $252 million contract with the Rangers, felt he had to be the best he could be to justify the contract, that the pressure was immense.
Pshaw and balderdash.
Give me $252 million for 10 years and I’ll be most loosey-goosey, la-de-da and happy go lucky for the rest of my life. Hey, even if he failed, they couldn’t take it away from him. It was guaranteed money.
A-Fraud (I guess Joe Torre knew what he was talking in his book when he said teammates referred to A-Rod as A-Fraud) admitted using from 2001 to 2003, when he won the American League MVP award (2003).
Of course, his admission came after he was outed by Sports Illustrated. Without that, he’d still be denying and lying.
Are we to believe he only did it in his Texas years? The ‘roids helped him win the MVP in 2003, so why would he quit then? He already has lied to us, so is he now telling the truth when he says that were only years he used?
And what happens now? The testing that nailed A-Fraud was in 2003 and it was supposed to be done anonymously. No names named. It was an agreement between MLB and the Players Association that testing would be done to see how rampant the problem, with nobody identified.
Well, it turned out that of 750 major-league players, 104 were nabbed. Some say that’s not many. They’re wrong. 104 of 750 is a damn lot.
Now that A-Fraud has been outed, how about the other 103? Is it fair to the 646 who tested negatively to be suspected? No, it’s not. They shouldn’t have to defend themselves.
The morass just gets swampier and swampier. I’m on record as saying I won’t vote steroids users and HGH users and other illegal enhancement users for the Hall of Fame - Mark McGwire, Roger Clemens, Barry Bonds, Sammy Sota. Now you can add A-Fraud to that list.
It’s frightening. My list of possible Hall of Famers gets smaller and smaller. Pretty soon, if this keeps up, I’ll have to say, “No, thanks. I’m not voting any more.” What a shame.
While it doesn’t shock me about A-Fraud, it disappoints me immensely. We all thought he would be the clean guy to wipe away Bonds and Sosa and McGwire.
So who’s next?
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Comments
By Ben
February 18, 2009 9:00 AM | Link to this
Since most all sports writers and the mature fan hold MLB as our sport where men of integrity and class perform at their best.We still hold them in high esteem; The new generation doesn’t nor do they care if they cheat with any means. The same attitude overflows into our jobs, homes, morals and way of life. It also is willing to lower the standards that once made us to look up to these people. Todays people in this catagory want to look at the achievements only and excuse the quality of the man producing them. Pete Rose and the players in MLB using enhancing drugs send a visible message to the future young, and that is win by any means. This of course is motivated by a selfish desire of the user, we see this in our country from Wall St, Corp. CEO’s etc. The truth still reveals itself with Rose, Bonds and others. It’s called Tainting.By chuck
February 14, 2009 11:09 PM | Link to this
Smoke a pole? What are you? In the 9th grade? Wait your name is Big Daddy so I am guessing 9th grade 4th time. Oh and your logic still is dumb as hell. And you are the embarrassing yourself when you post your dumbass thoughts. Go clean your meth lab.By Big Daddy
February 14, 2009 5:36 PM | Link to this
Smoke a pole pal. That thought is shared by many.By Chuck
February 14, 2009 9:13 AM | Link to this
That is bad logic there Big Daddy - so to answer your question, NO - he did not bet on them to lose because then he would have been managing them to lose. By not betting on them on Wednesday, he just felt his chances of winning were not as strong as the other days. He still managed them to win on Wednesday but he didn’t have a vested interest with a bet. Your logic that he bet on them to lose is really dumb actually. There were three choices to Pete - bet to win, bet to lose, not bet at all. When he had good pitching match-ups, he bet on them to win, when he didn’t, he would not bet at all. There is no evidence that he ever bet on the Reds to lose. Go read a QBA book or something you dope.By tls
February 13, 2009 12:39 AM | Link to this
SI and Ritter, Yes a real reds fan you are…it’s Joe Nuxhall by the way and he actually played the game. Don’t believe Hal did…just likes to pass judgement. I try not to read his stuff but only stumbled accross his idiotic rhetoric as he was quoted in USA Today. Too many wanna b’s that never had the talent get to vote who s/b in…joke.By donb51
February 12, 2009 6:17 PM | Link to this
Big Daddy, I really don’t care if Pete bet on the Reds to win, lose or draw. Pete’s accomplishments need to stand on their own merits, not on whether he committed crimes against humanity, I mean, baseball. Just put him in the hall of fame and tell the truth about him. Quit acting like Baseball is some sort of monastery for the sports purist. Preventing him from managing is punishment enough - in my humble opinion - but then I think Baseball, as a business, is just as corrupt as a lot of other businesses so let’s quit pretending it’s something that it ain’t.By Big Daddy
February 12, 2009 5:18 PM | Link to this
Hey Don, if Pete Rose only bet on the Reds to win, answer this. If he bet them to win on Monday,Tuesday and Thursday but not Wednesday, wasn’t he really betting them to lose Wednesday? Please,please don’t think he only bet on the Reds to win. He bet them to win and lose and he bet on other games as well. The guy is disgrace to mankind. I wish people would stop defending the clown.By Howie Feltersnatch
February 12, 2009 9:37 AM | Link to this
I think all of the sportswriters who stand on a soap box whining about the steroid era are huge hypocrites. The HOF is full of scoundrals liers and cheats. I wonder Hal if you saw the “Outside The Lines” report on the AFL champion Chargers team of the early 60’s whose entire team was on a steroid regiment?? Hal I need you and your buddys to tell me that you know for fact that none of our “heroes” from the 60’s or 70’s were not jucied to some degree or the other. The fact is you can’t so to lump all of the juicers from the so called steroid era and say they are so much worse than the “old timers” is irresponsible.Face the facts Hal all of are guilty of gloifying cheaters, fans, owners, and mostly the media. You guys were the ones who were pumping up McGwire and Sosa during the big home run chase. I did not see one article about scrawny assed Brady Anderson pumping out 50 dingers that was written in a questionable tone. Yes it is time for me to get on my soap box and tell all of you pompas holders of the HOF vote and tell you that your arbitrary rules of admission are a huge joke!!By Will
February 12, 2009 8:24 AM | Link to this
Ronnie - Greenies will make you “hustle”By HuberTucky
February 12, 2009 1:42 AM | Link to this
I believe scumbag Hicks bought the Texas Rangers from another Texas scumbag, didn’t he? A guy named George Bush, wasn’t it?By Super D
February 11, 2009 10:39 PM | Link to this
I agree about A-Rod but I was disgusted by the supposed jilted owner, Hicks. He’s as slimy in this mess as A-Rod. I think Hicks needs to do a sit down with Gammons and spin a little truth, lies, and fake sorrow like A-Rod do and tell us how sorry the owners are for turning a blind eye to all of this while it was going on.By donb51
February 11, 2009 7:44 PM | Link to this
Hal, Thinking back to your Pete Rose article a few days ago, what has affected baseball more - Rose’s betting on baseball, mainly on his own team to WIN; or players inflating their capabilities (and hence, all statistics throughout the game) through the use of illegal substances? My belief is that Pete Rose’s transgressions were much more localized and contained within a very narrow aspect of the game; whereas steroid use actually contaminates everthing. Pete needs to be forgiven and inducted into the hall of fame in light of the pass steroid users get; unless Pete’s 4200 plus hits were accomplished through the use of steroids. Maybe if that were true, he would be inducted today.By michael
February 11, 2009 6:05 PM | Link to this
I liked Biggio as a player…he played everyday, hustled, and played through injuries. I think 3000 hits, 400 SB, almost 300 HRs, and a .281 Average is pretty respectable. I am not sure he belongs in the HOF, but he was consistant.By Big Daddy
February 11, 2009 5:43 PM | Link to this
Craig Biggio was a “compiler”-his abilities never put fear in anyone. His .281 average is all you need to know about his hit total. He was a pretty good player-I shouldn’t have called him a hack-but no where near a HOF player but he will get in easy.By Mike-Cinci
February 11, 2009 5:25 PM | Link to this
No surprise. Adam Dunn rejoined Jim Bowden in Washington on a 2 year deal. We will get to see him in LF or at 1B.By Mike-Cinci
February 11, 2009 4:12 PM | Link to this
Steroid use not prescribed by a doctor was and is illegal. Many of the steroids and HGH used by players were even illegal for doctors to prescribe. Individuals who sold these drugs (called pushers by some) can be arrested and sent to jail. Recall Pete Rose jr. was arrested and sentenced for doing this as a minor league player. Over 1000 players were tested in 2003. 104 tested positive. Over 900 players were clean. Most players did not cheat. Some did.By dayton dave
February 11, 2009 3:37 PM | Link to this
Sorry to sound like a broken record, but Angels just signed Abreu. for 5 MIL!! just think if we were paitent and didnt sign these other aces, we could have had him for one year til Drew stubbs came up. Signing him to that little and it not being to cincinnati kind of makes me ill. sorry guys i just had to get that off my chest.By Y-City Jim
February 11, 2009 3:17 PM | Link to this
Biggio a hack? 13th all-time in runs scored, 20th all-time in hits, 5th all-time in doubles, 16th all-time in times on base. Where can the Reds get some hacks like that?By RonnieO
February 11, 2009 2:57 PM | Link to this
I’m not a pharmacist (professionally, anyway)- but I don’t recall amphetamines enabling anybody to bash a ball 500ft. I don’t think greenies add muscle mass, nor do they add anabolic strength or improve muscle performance. An amphetamine would increase attention and fight fatigue. An amphetamine would let you party all night and stay awake through the twilight doubleheader. But if all you took was an amphetamine, you’re not stronger or bigger and you don’t throw harder of faster (although the increased acuity might make you think you are). Steroids are another matter altogether - if I understand their use correctly. They turn the user into someone they would not be otherwise within the constraints of physique, diet, and training. Amphetamines don’t do that. They make you non-ADHD and work on your nuero-transmitters. But you have the same physique, the same physical capacity. To me, that’s a big difference between the two.By Deaner
February 11, 2009 1:43 PM | Link to this
Hal, What are your thoughts on Peter Gammons interview with A-Ro(i)d? Don’t you think Gammons was a little easy on him?By Will
February 11, 2009 11:54 AM | Link to this
Ronnie - I’m not saying that because it wasn’t technically cheating it was all right. Of course they knew they were doing something was morally objectionable. But how can you chastise these guys while giving all the other cheaters in baseballs history a free pass? Its hypocritical to ignore the guys who took amphetamines and then punish the ones who did HGH or steroids. They’re both PEDs. How’s it any different? Its hypocritical.By RonnieO
February 11, 2009 10:35 AM | Link to this
I know Will - but if you think it’s bad when Hal gets hollier than thou, wait till he goes all box eldier than thou on you! Guys - the rationalization attempts here are killing me. This puts the lie to the point about how they’re weren’t even illegal, it’s no big deal, everybody does it, etc., etc. If all that’s true - then why wasn’t there ANY commercial advocacy of this stuff, huh? I mean - you see Gator-ade ads all the time, right? Why wasn’t every baseball player talking up the wonder of ‘roids if it wasn’t illegal? Maybe because they knew it was - ah, what is that word - oh yeah - WRONG.By Bob
February 11, 2009 10:04 AM | Link to this
I already suspected A-Fraud a long time ago of being a doper. Everybody still says Griffey Jr. had nothing to do with performance enhancers, it would not surprise me one bit if he in fact did. Let’s see Jr. and Bonds are buddies and Jr. and A-Roid played together (Hmmmm). Doctor’s say that by taking steroids, muscles grow while tendons and ligaments don’t, this is not the case with HGH. So this might explain why a hamstring would rip completely off the bone on an all-star athlete at his prime. Things that make you go hmmmm.By timb
February 11, 2009 9:59 AM | Link to this
Amen to Arod below. But, this statement is mind-boggling: “Are we to believe he only did it in his Texas years? The ‘roids helped him win the MVP in 2003, so why would he quit then? He already has lied to us, so is he now telling the truth when he says that were only years he used?” Uh, maybe he stopped using them in say 2004 when mandatory testing started? Any player who had a 2008 down year of 35 bombs and a .965 OPS belongs in the Hall no matter what the moralizing of Hal. Greenies? okay. Cocaine? well, case by case basis. Bet on baseball? Probably should be in the Hall. Took steroids and harmed no one but yourself? Hal goes on a jihad.By A-Rod
February 11, 2009 9:32 AM | Link to this
Hey Hal. “I will never vote for a sterioid user”. I can guarentee that you already have. They have been around since the 60s. This isn’t anything new. check out bigger stronger faster… Cortizone is a steriod that everyone uses, but it isn’t banned. Its done more for performance enhancing then anabolic steriods ever would. Quit picking and choosing your favorites and vote based on what happened on the field. A-rod doesn’t deserve the right to be next to the great humanitarian Ty Cobb. Get off your high horse.By Will
February 11, 2009 9:23 AM | Link to this
Hal - Would you not vote for someone who admitted to using greenies (amphetamines), stealing signs, corking bats, or scuffing baseballs? Cheating is cheating. I think the whole thing is a bit hypocritical. This whole ‘purist” argument doesn’t hold water. Baseball players have been cheating for as long as the games been played. Also how can we knock a guy for doing something that wasn’t even cheating at the time? Something tells me if they had HGH and ‘roids back in the day then those guys would have used them too. You can argue steroids saved the game when McGuire and Sosa brought the game back from the grave with their homerun chase. I remember an interview with McGuire in the locker-room and you could see a container of andros in his locker? Where was the presses sense of purity and integrity then? Everyone’s got dirt on their hands. The players, MLB, the press and the fans all contributed to this. So don’t do this holly than thou act when everyone turning a blind eye and contributed to the hype.By Rockieredsfan
February 11, 2009 8:53 AM | Link to this
The problem still exist as evidenced by the number of minor league players caught and given X amount of game suspensions based on the number of times caught. You would think MLB would get tough on the use of banned substances beginning in the minors. Minor league players may never make it to the show, and it is a once in a lifetime shot, so that should the motivation to play your best. So IMO if they use a banned substance then suspending them 25 or 50 or more games is not the answer. First time suspension for one full season and if a 2nd offense, out of baseball period! No 2nd chances. Harsh punishment? You bet it is, but maybe, just maybe, with this harsh punishment it will make a player think before he acts.By Florida Buckeye
February 11, 2009 8:41 AM | Link to this
First off, Hal I agree with much of your sentiment; however, I would ask everyone to listen to the interview with Peter Gammons again, and again until you realize a few things. A-rod never used the words Steroids. Nor did he ever say that he only did then while playing for the Rangers. What he did say was banned substances, and performance enhancing drugs. Also, the time period while he was with Texas was suggested by Gammons as: “So the period that you were using performance enhancing drugs was from 01-03?” A-rod’s response is tell tale, he said: “Pretty much so…” So are we to believe that since he just found out about the failed test recently, that he just stopped doing steriods? Are we to forgive him for a partial confession? Lastly…The Yankees have spring training down here in Tampa, and it is widely known and reported that the sales of steriods in local gyms go up exponentially every year that they show up and A-Rod’s name has been hinted at for years…I dont know where I stand w/r to the Hall and the steroid era. I do think that we all need to use some common sense and realize that the vast majority of players used to some extent…and to remember: Whereas it wasnt against League Rules until after the McGuire/Sosa Love Fest, it was, and is still illegal…By rob in stl
February 11, 2009 8:25 AM | Link to this
Hal, I’m a little surprised at the extent of your opposition to ARod, McGwire, and the other known steroid users of the past decade. As you state, the worst thing is the pressure the users put on the players that chose not to juice. Steroids weren’t banned until 2004 and and players are always looking for any advantge they can get. On that front, how can you fault them? The real blame lies with the commissioner, the owners, and on down to the fans and media who were all in during the height of the steroid induced home run craze.By Mike-Cinci
February 11, 2009 6:45 AM | Link to this
Let’s get this straight. Hal is not in the baseball Hall of Fame. That is reserved for those directly involved with the game. Hal is in the writers wing of the baseball Hall of Fame. He received the J.G, Taylor Spink award when he was elected. This is a great honor and reflects Hal’s many years of covering baseball and the Cincinnati Reds. The Hall of Fame is a wonderful place to visit if you have not done so. Memories of many players, not just elected Hall of fame players, are exhibited there. It is the ultimate museum of baseball and worth a visit by anyone who loves the game.By michael
February 11, 2009 5:04 AM | Link to this
If you don’t like Hal, don’t read his blog.By MAC
February 11, 2009 2:37 AM | Link to this
I’m not that shocked by the A Rod news considering the type of world we live in today. My guess is Pujols may be the next big name; the guy just kills the ball. I’d like to think everyone upto the “official steriod” era was clean, but I know that’s just not the case. I know that doesn’t make it right and all, but I just have mixed feelings about the whole argument. Frankly, I’d like to see a “theraputic” dose of steriods developed for my personnel use. I have all kinds of physical problems @ 50 and would truely consider the risk for 10 or 15 more quality yrs. Maybe something positive could come from it all?By HuberTucky
February 11, 2009 1:16 AM | Link to this
One day after Alex Rodriguez was exposed as a sniveling cheat, another baseball All-Star has been felled in the sport’s steroid scandal. This time, shortstop Miguel Tejada has been charged with lying to congressional investigators. And the stars just keep fallin’! Great, get rid of all of them, buncha lying cheating scum IMO.By SI and Ritter
February 11, 2009 12:24 AM | Link to this
Big daddy and tis, get a life, if you don’t like what Hal writes then just don’t read. Hal is in the Hall, understand that? Hal is an Icon to us real Reds fans like Joe Nuxall is. Knock it off ok?By Big Daddy
February 11, 2009 12:01 AM | Link to this
Voters like Hal are going to make the HOF irrelevant in 10-15 years. They are too arrogant to put in the games best players. Say what you want but keeping a whole era out of the HOF is a joke. They all played within the rules at the time and did it against others who were doing it. The same clowns who put Gaylord Perry in the HOF are not going to put in some of the games best players ever. Makes sense to me. The funny thing is, they can’t wait until a hack like Craig Biggio comes eligible so they can vote for him. You couldn’t pay me to walk into that dump.By tls
February 10, 2009 9:32 PM | Link to this
Hal is a JOKE. Why would a Dayton Daily writer even have a hall of fame vote? What credentials does he have? If he was an athlete, he was likely a joke at that as well. A-Rod did steroids. Still a HOF player and if you think he isn’t you don’t know a thing about baseball. You can challenge the all-time HR leader when he passes Bonds, but not whether he is a HOFer. Let’s publish the complete list so we can see all of the great players that were juicing. The HOF is a JOKE too. Hal probably was one that didn’t vote for Rickey. How stupid is that? Not a HOF 5 years after you retire, but 20 years you are, just stupid. No Pete in the HOF, stupid. Who cares A-Rod, the HOF is a farce anyway, fans know who are the all-time greats.By tls
February 10, 2009 9:32 PM | Link to this
Hal is a JOKE. Why would a Dayton Daily writer even have a hall of fame vote? What credentials does he have? If he was an athlete, he was likely a joke at that as well. A-Rod did steroids. Still a HOF player and if you think he isn’t you don’t know a thing about baseball. You can challenge the all-time HR leader when he passes Bonds, but not whether he is a HOFer. Let’s publish the complete list so we can see all of the great players that were juicing. The HOF is a JOKE too. Hal probably was one that didn’t vote for Rickey. How stupid is that? Not a HOF 5 years after you retire, but 20 years you are, just stupid. No Pete in the HOF, stupid. Who cares A-Rod, the HOF is a farce anyway, fans know who are the all-time greats.By JRed
February 10, 2009 9:09 PM | Link to this
On the subject of A-Rod, Madonna and steroids, recent research suggests that steroid use will shrink the testicles among other side effects. California Gov. Schwartzenegger has reason to be concerned.By JRed
February 10, 2009 8:55 PM | Link to this
While I sympathize with Hal’s sentiments, there is an aspect to this matter and its timing that is even more troubling—and ought to be investigated. The article notes that these tests from 2003-4 were supposed to be anonymous. Why didn’t they remain anonymous? Who tipped off SI and what was their motive??? I have a suggestion for solving the problem. Next time some player tests positive for steroids— severely punish his team’s owner. These corporate sorts, as recent events prove, have no problem with cheating—they just want to be bailed-out when they are caught. Could the SI story be part of their bailout—the bad publicity further driving down player salaries?? Tom Hicks of the Rangers, a politically-connected sharpie is oh-so-shocked about the revelations concerning A-Rod, his best paid employee. A smart businessman-which Hicks claims to be—does not let his highest paid employees cheat—unless he is a crook to begin with.By Y-City Jim
February 10, 2009 8:47 PM | Link to this
I don’t think the MLBPA would stand in the way. They haven’t stood in the way of other suspensions. I think that it is MLB’s Executive that doesn’t want to punish the big names. As for the comment questioning Griffey being clean, are you serious? How has Griffey gotten big?By Pat
February 10, 2009 7:35 PM | Link to this
do we know Griffey is clean??? from a little guy to a big guy in a few years???By Mike-Cinci
February 10, 2009 5:51 PM | Link to this
If baseball tried to suspend A-Rod the union would bring legal action and threaten a strike. The problem is not with baseball but the player who cheats. The only way this gets permanently fixed is if the players say enough is enough and come together and support banning players who use steroids and HGH. Actually you would expect players who are clean to support this. Why would they want to compete against cheaters? The union’s purpose is to protect the player but in the case of steroids and HGH by protecting the players on this they are not making the best decision for the game. It’s sad.By RonnieO
February 10, 2009 4:59 PM | Link to this
Cleanup Baseball, allow me to introduce you to Mr. Donald M. Fehr, Executive Director of the Players Union. No why don’t you two just go settle this, eh? Seriously, it’s not that simple (as MLB unilaterally acting), although you could argue that it should be. If you want a good chuckle, go read the Union’s statement from Feb. 9.By Bowshier
February 10, 2009 4:42 PM | Link to this
Sadly, it should be Aaron Ruth Mays Griffey not a bunch of cheaters.By Jeffrey
February 10, 2009 3:57 PM | Link to this
In a world turned upside down by reprehensible behavior, I can always count on Hal to demonstrate immutable character. It might just be baseball, as Hal would admit, but man, we need to hold to account the “heros” of the youth. There shouldn’t be a HOF ballot for the lot of these cheaters.By Cleanup Baseball
February 10, 2009 3:36 PM | Link to this
If MLB wanted to clean up the game, they would issue immediate, lifetime bans to those players who violate the policy. That would get the players attention, from the pros to the kids playing on local neighborhood ball diamonds. It is obvious that MLB merely wants to front the perception that it is concerned about the issue…banning your cash cows would be detrimental to its bottom line.By Fishbait
February 10, 2009 3:31 PM | Link to this
Maybe Madonna dumped him because the performance enhancers weren’t doing the job?By Fishbait
February 10, 2009 3:30 PM | Link to this
Maybe Madonna dumped him because the performance enhancers weren’t doing the job?By michael
February 10, 2009 3:14 PM | Link to this
The Reds traded Griffey because he is done. Get over it, every career comes to an end sooner or later.By Bryan
February 10, 2009 3:05 PM | Link to this
It seems that the only clean one is Ken Griffey Jr. which only shows the folly of Reds management as they saw it necessary to trade one of baseball’s greatest players.By Bryan
February 10, 2009 3:04 PM | Link to this
It seems that the only clean one is Ken Griffey Jr. which only shows the folly of Reds management as they saw it necessary to trade one of baseball’s greatest players.By bobs
February 10, 2009 3:02 PM | Link to this
The one thing I appreciate is at least he will, now, own up to his mistake, and like Giambi and Pettite, he will be somewhat forgiven for this. Bonds, McGwire, Clemens…pay attention. While no of these guys will ever make the Hall of Fame and rightfully so, I bet A-Rod will at least get some support back from the fans.By pitcher22
February 10, 2009 2:46 PM | Link to this
I find it very hard to believe that he only used steroids to fulfill his contractual obligations. The man was getting paid over 200 million dollars to play a game. He did it to break a record. He is already the fastest in history to reach five hundred homeruns. I just don’t think he is sorry either, he is not in trouble for it. He also let a lot of baseball fans down, he was the only hope that any of us had at making the sport clean, but those are tarnished and talents like him, that come out of high school and are all-stars are rare. The most recent being him and Griffey Jr. It will be a long time for a person to come around that is as good as A-Fraud. If he would have not done this, he could have been considered the greatest all around baseball player of all time, but he ruined that. This man’s life is falling apart right infront of him and honestly, he doesn’t care. When it’s all said and done, in the end he gets that big twenty five million dollar a year pay check and goes home to his AARP card holding girlfriend Madonna.By Brian Baute
February 10, 2009 1:37 PM | Link to this
Hal, I’d love to hear your take on the distinction between steroid users of the current era and amphetamine users of earlier eras. Both are illegal drugs and neither (pre-2004) were banned in baseball. What is it that makes pre-2004 steroid use different than 1950s or 1960s amphetamine use?