Opinion: Fair Or Not, A-Rod Should Get What He Gets
There’s a segment within the master-set population of baseball fans who now want to suggest that Alex Rodriguez is a victim in all this hubbub about his PED usage in 2003. And, their logic is that the tests conducted in 2003 were confidential, as agreed upon by the MLBPA and MLB, and that the feds/public had no right to see who tested positive or negative, etc. – and it’s “unfair” that this information is now out.
I get that. In fact, if it I were A-Rod in this situation, I would be extremely angry that my test results were leaked. Further, what it’s worth, I would look into going after the parties that assured me that these tests would be confidential, etc.
Now, that said, given that the cat is out of the bag, is it “unfair”?
Well, think about this: Suppose that someone trashed your car. That would be bad. But, the good news here is that the cops have called and shared they knew who did – because they have the guy’s confession on tape.
Sounds great, right? But, wait, the cops then call you back and say that they forgot to read the guy his Miranda Rights, and, as a result, his confession is not valid – and his statements were ones that no one should have heard…because of the rules around Miranda Rights, etc.
At that point, as the owner of the car that was trashed, do you really care about the guy’s Miranda Rights? Probably not. At this junction, you want to see the guy pay for what he did to you car.
And, that’s how I see the thing here with Rodriguez. Was the information obtained in a manner that is questionable? Yes, no question – just like the guy who didn’t get his Miranda Rights. But, now that you know about it, you want to see some sort of justice applied, nonetheless, right?
So, if some baseball fans want to see A-Rod now held accountable, even if it’s just a Scarlet Letter application, I can understand that – and I don’t believe that Alex should get some kind of buddy-pass here just because the information was supposed to be confidential.
What do you think?
Don’t think that’s a very good example you used, even on a conceptual level.
What kind of “justice” are we talking about? What rule did he break? Had it been something like what went on recently with JC Romero, that he flunked a test AFTER rules were implemented, sure, do whatever you want. But going after Rodriguez now, some 6 years after he failed a piss test seems a bit ridiculous. And lets not even go into the effect steroids may or may not have on the game itself. Given the majority of the people who have been caught, I would say that it’s an indication that steroids hurt more than help.
~~What kind of “justice” are we talking about? What rule did he break?~~
He broke the public’s trust, no? So, therefore, the justice should be that the public no longer trusts him.
That’s enough for me.
Yeah steroids didn’t help Bonds, McGwire, or Sosa hit over 65+ home runs nobody did it in the history of baseball before them. You are delusional buddy. Obviously you still need TALENT, but it does help a good player become great player, and a great player become historic, etc.
That being said, the people getting screwed here are the Yankees and their fans. Had the Yankees known about this test, they might have been more reluctant to sign A-Rod last year and they certainly wouldn’t be paying him to break HR records.
Now management and fans are stuck with a trashed car that can’t be punished, so we have to use that car until it no longer wants to work, whether we like it or not. We might make it to our destination(World Series Champs), but it’s going to be an ugly ride.
I agree that it’s not a great example. If A-Rod had actually confessed, I might agree with you, but given that the testing process is not perfect, and that it’s difficult to refute or confirm the charges 6 years later, I don’t think ge’s getting a fair deal from the press. It’s too easy to throw names out there based on performance without any proof.
If he didn’t have the other stuff going on (A-Fraud, Madonna, etc.) I think fans would be more inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt.
He broke the public’s trust, no? So, therefore, the justice should be that the public no longer trusts him.
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Meh… Why should the public have trust in him? Why does the public think their trust is worth having?
I don’t think Barry Bonds keeps himself up at night thinking about the public’s trust. Don’t think it stopped Strawberry & Gooden from throwing away their careers. Certainly didn’t stop Mantle from boozing and whoring.
Certainly didn’t stop the owners from cashing in, it didn’t stop the fans from going to the games.
I guess we’ll see.
Obviously you still need TALENT, but it does help a good player become great player, and a great player become historic, etc.
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Right… Alex Sanchez? Matt Lawton? NEIFI PEREZ? c’mon…
psst, there’s more to the game than HR’s. Thought I’d let you know.
~~Why should the public have trust in him? ~~
Because he went on 60 Minutes and said, to the whole world, last year, that he doesn’t use PEDs and never, ever, considered using PEDS, because he doesn’t have to…the whole time knowing that he’s used them in the past.
Oh, wait, that’s the reason why the public SHOULD NOT trust him now…which is what I think should be happening, given what we know, even if the information was obtained “unfairly.”
Whups, Perez was suspended for amphetamine usage…
~~given that the testing process is not perfect, …I don’t think ge’s getting a fair deal from the press~~
The stuff that he tested positive for doesn’t fall into the “questionable” bucket, does it?
~~Had the Yankees known about this test, they might have been more reluctant to sign A-Rod last year and they certainly wouldn’t be paying him to break HR records. ~~
Agreed, 1,000%
When I become independently wealthy, I’m going to buy every baseball fan a copy of “Ball Four.” That should shut them up.
Right… Alex Sanchez? Matt Lawton? NEIFI PEREZ? c’mon…
psst, there’s more to the game than HR’s. Thought I’d let you know.
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Yeah, they sucked before ‘roids or were at the end of their careers.
HR’s is just the easiest way to quantify how ‘roids help people. Also, if you know baseball and I believe you do Raf, you should know that if you already have a good swing and then you add more muscle, the ball is going to travel faster and further off of your bat.
Did Bonds, McGwire, and Sosa need ‘roids to be All-Stars? Definitely not…but they certainly needed them to hit 65+ HR’s, probably more doubles as well, which leads to a higher SLG, which leads to pitchers fearing you even more, which leads to more walks, which means you are on base even more, which leads to more wins for your team.
http://tinyurl.com/2b97s4
“Former pitcher Tom House describes past steroid use
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Former major league pitcher Tom House used steroids during his career and said performance-enhancing drugs were widespread in baseball in the 1960s and 1970s, the San Francisco Chronicle reported Tuesday.”
Yep…
I’ll let Tony Massaroti of the Boston Globe answer this for me:
“For the moment, here’s the biggest problem: There reportedly were 103 other names on that list. Who are the others? Why don’t we know? Is it even remotely possible that Rodriguez’s name appears on a list with 103 utility men and bit players, that he is the only notable presence among a cast of extras and stand-ins?
Or has it reached the point now that we get to pick and choose whom we decide to smear, deconstruct and castigate?”
A-Rod uses steroids at a time where there was no testing for it and no rules in baseball against it. He was given a test that was supposed to be anonymous and was eventually leaked. Then, when 104 names were a part of it, he was picked out of it while everybody else is hidden. That’s bullshit. A-Rod doesn;t deserve any of this. If he tested positive after a rule was in place, than you dig your own grave. But he was positive when nothing in the rules said he couldn’t test positive. I’d be outraged if I were Alex.
Excellent post, Steve.
I have read pieces by cerain stat-head types that say the truly great crime here was the violation of A-Rod’s rights. Many of these folks have long been agnostic about the impact of PEDs in baseball. You get the feeling these guys could care less about what illegal drugs are being consumed as long as someone’s VORP and OPS+ remain on an upward trend.
Baseball has lost a piece of its past with Bonds and Clemens. Now it stands to lose its future with A-Rod. This scourge can be ended with a new strong, independent commissioner, the Congress, and a crushed MLBPA.
That’s bullshit. A-Rod doesn;t deserve any of this.
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lol wouldnt go THAT far
probably more doubles as well
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Their doubles have remained fairly consistent.
probably more doubles as well
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Their doubles have remained fairly consistent.
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Per AB? if walks go up…then that means less AB’s, which means less chances to hit doubles. So if they are hitting the same about of doubles with less at-bats, then they are actually hitting doubles more often.
That’s bullshit. A-Rod doesn;t deserve any of this.
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lol wouldnt go THAT far
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well, you’re right. i think i was going on a bit of a rant there.
For those who think PED usage doesn’t help your HR totals:
http://waswatching.com/2006/03/14/boiled-down-barry-for-the-babe/
A-Rod uses steroids at a time where there was no testing for it and no rules in baseball against it. He was given a test that was supposed to be anonymous and was eventually leaked. Then, when 104 names were a part of it, he was picked out of it while everybody else is hidden. That’s bullshit. A-Rod doesn;t deserve any of this. If he tested positive after a rule was in place, than you dig your own grave. But he was positive when nothing in the rules said he couldn’t test positive. I’d be outraged if I were Alex.Quote from Crank
Crank, I agree with ypur basic thesis. It is funny how sanctimonious and preachy the Bob Costases and the like speak of how pure baseballwas . Rick Cerrone went on Miked Up and said that even Nolan Ryan cheated! Guys were taking speed for how many years in this sport before steroids became de rigeur? It is funny that evryone is pointing the finger at Aroid, I wonder who else is on that list? Big Flappi or even Manny?
Crank, Aroid does deserve derision in this respect because he claimed he was Polly Purebread in that interview with that Botox infested dunderhead, Couric. He could have said no comment or whatever but no. AS much of a train wreck that Roidriguez is , it’s funny as to who the other 103 names were? It is very sexy to malign a big target as opposed to a little guy, so there you go. But imagine if Johnny Damonic or one of 2004 Red Pox ended up on that list? A tainted championship?
Butchie, i would bet money that Johnny is on that list. Along with Papi
When is the entire list going to be leaked?
FYI: http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/story/11355266/rss
Alex Rodriguez has admitted using performance-enhancing drugs.
The New York Yankees star responded to a Sports Illustrated report that he tested positive for steroids in 2003 by recording an interview Monday with ESPN.
“I did take a banned substance. For that I’m very sorry and deeply regretful,” he said.
Rodriguez went on to say that he used performance-enhancing drugs during his first three seasons with the Texas Rangers, from 2001-03.
Breaking news on ESPN.com..Arod speaks!
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Its not either/ or for me. He gets what he deserves and the outing of anonymous testing was wrong.