Did anyone hear what A-Rod just said?

He finally admitted to the world that he took steroids for three seasons, from 2001 through 2003.

But that's not the part I am talking about.  I'm talking about his reasons why he did it.

“I did take a banned substance and, you know, for that I’m very sorry and deeply regretful," Rodriguez said in an interview with ESPN's Peter Gammons. He continued: "And although it was the culture back then and Major League Baseball overall was very—I just feel that—You know, I’m just sorry. I’m sorry for that time. I’m sorry to fans. I’m sorry for my fans in Texas. It wasn’t until then that I ever thought about substance of any kind, and since then I’ve proved to myself and to everyone that I don’t need any of that."

Did you catch that?  His reasoning was "it was the culture back then and MLB was very..."

A-Rod, did you really just say what I think you said?  Did you just use the old but everyone was doing it excuse?

Rodriguez continued to talk about how everyone expected so much of him because of his giant contract, and how we—as fans—put all this pressure on him to be the greatest player ever.

Umm, did I offer him $252 million?  Did we fans ever tell A-Rod to be the best player in the world?

Or... did he agree to get paid that much money and take on the responsibility?  Wasn't it Rodriguez who agreed to get paid some $25 million dollars a year?  Did he think about what that contract meant when he signed it?

No, A-Rod; I will not apologize to you for the pressure under which you placed yourself.  I will not be blamed for your downfall.

I will accept your apology for cheating, as long as you take the blame.

Don't blame the media.

Don't blame Major League Baseball for turning a blind-eye.

Don't say "it was just the culture."

Be a man.  Take the blame for your mistakes.

In fact, if you do that, we might respect you even more. Not for being the greatest man to ever play the game. But for just being a man.

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