Howard David Howard David Blog February 10, 2009 So the proverbial stuff has hit the fan, Alex Rodriguez used performance enhancing drugs, and he admitted it. Like many, I watched the Peter Gammons interview on ESPN and I couldn't help but wonder a few things: The Worldwide Leader in Sports, so named because they own every sports property on the planet and have Major League Baseball as a partner. Speaking to that, Gammons never touched hard enough on the fact that A-Rod was stabbed in the back by the players’ union that told him the test results would remain undisclosed. I'm not defending A-Rod. He is dirty like at least 103 other tested players are, whether that list includes Bonds, McGwire, Sosa or Clemens. But before any of you point the accusing finger on Rodriquez, look in the mirror and ask yourself, "Have I ever cheated on the golf course? On my tax returns? Or, God-forbid, on my wife?” If the answer is “yes” than get off your high horse and pray to the Gods of Bernie Madoff. Baseball's steroid culture must also include the names of Bud Selig, Donald Fehr and Gene Orza, and anyone else in the industry who had an inkling of the use of performance enhancing drugs during the 2001-2003 time period when A-Rod admitted to using any substance. Alex Rodriquez didn't need to use steroids. He is absolutely the best in the game and his ability should be enough. Did the Romans have to shackle the Christians before sending them to their death in the Arena and then releasing the lions? They just wanted guarantees. Getting back to the interview, why didn't Bob Costas do the interview on the Major League Baseball Network? Like the previous example, A-Rod, MLB, Scott Boras all wanted guarantees. No tough questions. How many times during the interview did we need to hear, "I was young. I was stupid. I was naïve."? A-Rod will pay the biggest price, not his salary, which has $270 million coming, but in other areas. If he stays healthy, he will break many records including Bonds’ home run record. But so what? Hall of Fame? Forget it. Future endorsements? Forget it. Fan support? That is still up for debate. A-Rod did the right thing by admitting his use of roids and right away. But how would you like being in his $270 million shoes this season when he steps on the new field at Yankee Stadium and his home town barbecues him? Or in all the other cities when the chants of A-Fraud or A-Roid come cascading down from the rafters and his fragile psyche will be attacked. There is not enough Advil for Rodriquez to take to calm his headaches down. If you would like to comment on this blog, please email Howard David at howarddavidh3@yahoo.com. This blog is written exclusively for ussportspages.com Archives: January 18, 2009 January 25, 2009 February 4, 2009 February 10, 2009