According to a Sports Illustrated report, Alex Rodriguez tested positive for steroids in 2003.
Update (Monday): In an interview with Peter Gammons, A-Rod admitted to using steroids from 2001-2003.
2003 was A-Rod's last with the Rangers. He hit 47 home runs and won his first of 3 (so far) MVP awards. But that award is now tainted by this information, brought to the public by Selena Roberts and David Epstein of SI.
According to the report, 104 players tested positive for banned substances in 2003. That list of players, which is part of the government's investigation into steroids in baseball, is under seal in California, but A-Rod's inclusion has been confirmed by four independent sources. I expect we'll be hearing a lot of speculation about the remaining 103 names over the coming weeks.
Clearly this will have a huge effect on the way A-Rod is perceived by the public. Personally, I don't like the guy and it's become increasingly clear over the last few years that he's a jerk. But I was still cheering for him to break Bonds' record, because Bonds is a bigger jerk. No longer will Alex get my support.
It's up to you, Albert Pujols.
A friend and I were talking earlier about what the headline in the New York Post will be tomorrow. My entry into the contest, as you already know, is "A-Roids", which I claim first credit for. Any other headline guesses out there? (I'd also like to claim first credit for the idea that maybe A-Rod got the 'roids from Madonna.)
https://www.battersbox.ca/article.php?story=20090207180727183