A-Rod's Needle Hurts More Now

You hear it and you hope it's not true.

We are pretty sure Roger Clemens, Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, and others are users.

But not A-Rod. He's the real deal. The standard above the 'Roid Era.

A-Rod is chiseled, good looking, and strong. Do I have a man crush for him? No, but Alex is the envy of most men.

We hoped that he was going to restore integrity to the game after McGwire disappeared and Sosa forgot how to speak english.

When Roger Clemens received $28 million to come "back home" after putting up better numbers in his twilight years than when he was in his prime.

Yes, Alex Rodriguez will, legitimately, break Hank Aaron's homerun record with his sweet swing and pleasant demeanor. Surely, Barry Bonds can appreciate the fact that A-Rod's head did not have its own orbit around the sun like his head is capable of doing.

You don't hear of "'roid rage" or shrunken plumbing like Caseco's ex-girlfriend was quick to point out. After all, these are the symptoms of a player using steroids.

Now we are told by more than one source that Alex Rodriguez tested positive for steroids in 2003 and the "golden boy" may really be fool's gold.

There's no denying his skills and ability to hit moonshots. He may be clean now. It would be hard to sneak it past the drug test MLB and the union have implemented.

But why, I ask, do you take steroids if you know your talents exceed most players? You, like the others, must think you are above the law. You don't need to answer to no one. You are arrogant enough to believe baseball fans will pay anything just to get a close look at you.

Steroids has done far more damage to baseball than just the physical side-effects to the body. Salaries have gone to astronomical levels for players that hit 500 ft shots, hit 50-plus homers when the most they hit before was 20.

Pitchers are still able to throw in the mid 90s at 40 when they were constantly hurt in their youth. Those salaries forced ticket prices to go up. You, the fan, and your average family of four, now must spend a week's wages just so you can see a game in person.

I question the leaders of MLB and the Players Union not knowing that players were taking steroids. How can you play innocent when you have guys like Bret Boone hitting far more homers towards the end of his career than when he was younger?

It did not matter. It filled seats and brought about record attendance. Merchandise is selling like hot cakes and new stadiums are being built to accommodate the wealthy few that can afford a luxury box.

These are seats that the majority of fans will never have the privilege to sit down in. Yet, they will pay for increase parking fees and concessions. All to pay a guy like A-Rod his $300 million that was enhanced by the use of steroids.

If you think A-Rod had it bad three years ago when his psyche was worked on by the fans, wait until this season starts.

Fans will be chanting insults with little mercy and demanding Alex to hit .900 and hit 80 homeruns.

He will have to be a 20 game winner and save 40 games.

After all, is it asking much for a guy that will get 300 million through the term of his contract?

A-Rod is going to need more than luck. He is going to have to go before the public and seek forgiveness and get tested constantly. I don't understand why they just don't fess up and continue to play.

He may have had the needle in 2003 but now, the needle hurts more and the pain is being felt throughout.