Rodriguez Admits to Steroid Use

After repeated denials, New York Yankees Third Baseman Alex Rodriguez admitted he used steroids during his time with the Texas Rangers from 2001 - 2003.

WASHINGTON (Catholic Online) - After repeated denials, Alex Rodriguez (A-Rod) has now admitted that he used performance-enhancing drugs from 2001-2003 while a player for the Texas Rangers. He cited the pressure of being the highest-paid player in baseball as the reason for this.

Sports Illustrated broke the story on Thursday. When they talked with Rodriguez, the all-star third baseman for the New York Yankees, about the situation, he deferred them to the players' union who refused to comment.

On Monday, Rodriguez's admission was accompanied by such headlines as "A-ROID" in the New York Daily News and Newsday and "ROIDRIGUEZ" in the Trention (NJ) Trentonian.

ESPN.com carried the confirmation today, along with word that an exclusive interview would be broadcast on Monday evening.

"When I arrived in Texas in 2001, I felt an enormous amount of pressure. I needed to perform, and perform at a high level every day," Rodriguez spoke with ESPN's Peter Gammons from his home in Miami, FL. "Back then, [baseball] was a different culture. It was very loose. I was young, I was stupid, I was naĂŻve. I wanted to prove to everyone I was worth being one of the greatest players of all time.

"I did take a banned substance. For that, I'm very sorry and deeply regretful."

A-Rod described that time in the majors as being "loosey goosey" when it came to using performance-enhancing drugs. He was one of 104 players that tested positive in 2003. The list of players was to be held secret as the tests, administered at the initiative of Major League Baseball, were to be used to determine if random testing was needed for players.

Sources who know about the testing results told Sports Illustrated that Rodriguez tested positive for testosterone and Primobolan, an anabolic steroid related to testosterone and used to build muscle tissue.

ESPN reported that they had learned from a source on Saturday that Rodriguez was informed about the results of the test in 2004 but Rodriguez said he did not know until informed by Sports Illustrated last week.

According to the "Report to the Commissioner of Baseball of an Independent Investigation into the Illegal Use of Steroids and Other Performance Enhancing Substances by Players in Major League Baseball," informally known as the "Mitchell Report", all players who failed the test were notified in September of 2004.

This report is the result of former United States Senator George J. Mitchell's 20-month investigation into the use of anabolic steroids and human growth hormone (HGH) in Major League Baseball (MLB) released December 13, 2007.

In talking with ESPN on Monday, Rodriguez apologized to the Texas Rangers, their fans, and all of baseball.

The New York Times questioned A-Rod about an interview in 2007 with Katie Couric of CBS News on "60 Minutes," where he denied ever using steroids. Rodriguez side-stepped the issue, saying, "At the time I wasn't being truthful with myself. How could I be truthful with Katie Couric or CBS?"

Rodriguez joins an all-star lineup of baseball's elite who have admitted to using steroids. The list includes Jason Giambi, Andy Pettitte, seven-time MVP Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, the seven-time winner of the American League's Cy Young Award, and Jose Conseco. Many other players have been reported as steroid users but have denied the charges.

Bonds will go on trial in March on charges he lied to a grand jury in 2003 regarding steroid use. Clemens is under investigation for similar charges.

Rodriguez is scheduled to be present at an event on Friday where the University of Miami will rename its basefall field in his honor. Officials at the university confirmed on Monday that this activity will still take place.

He gave $3.9 million to the school in 2003, the largest gift ever to the Hurricanes' baseball program and money that provided much of the resources needed for renovating the existing on-campus stadium. In return, the baseball complex will be called Mark Light Field at Alex Rodriguez Park.

A-Rod's news came just as spring training camps are set to open. All eyes will be on the Yankee camp, in Tampa FL, and the future of their highest paid player.

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