It was inevitable: Alex Rodriguez Caught Up In Steroid Scandal

I want to start this article off by saying that I am genuinely disappointed by this news. 

For the last decade and a half, Alex Rodriguez has been absolutely electrifying fans of the sport of baseball.  For those of us who are true fans of the sport, A-Rod has been someone to rally around, especially in an era when our greatest heroes have all seemed to be mired in scandal and controversy involving performance-enhancing substances.  It is an unfortunate part of being a fan in this modern era of baseball.

Being a Cubs fan, I hate the Yankees with a passion, but respected Rodriguez as a player.

Rodriguez was someone we could point out to our kids and say to them, "Right there is proof that you can excel in sports and you don't have to cheat."

He was the anti-Barry Bonds who could be put on a pedestal and held up for all the world to see as a good example.  He was a prime reason why many of us old enough to remember the "good ole days" continue to watch the sport.  But, alas, he is just the latest to fall victim to the scourge of the times.

What a pity, too.

Think about this modern era of baseball for just a few moments.  Every single player that immediately springs to mind has been in on some part of some level of steroids use.  Well, maybe not Ken Griffey, Jr.  He stays hurt too often to have used steroids.  But, aside from Griffey, it seems like every premiere Major Leaguer is involved and it has been going on for almost 20 years.

But then again, you also have to lay some of the blame at the feet of folks like George Steinbrenner and Scott Boras.  Agents and team owners who have taken a game and turned it into a pissing contest for the overly rich? Remember when it was nine players having fun on a field of freshly cut grass?

Now, I am not against one making as much money as one can.  But shouldn't someone leave the sport in sports? 

Incentive-driven contracts written mutually by agents and owners almost guarantees that players are going to cheat. 

What's going to be next?  Derek Jeter and Alfonso Soriano juiced?  Ichiro caught with the cream and the clear?  Ed Montague wears contacts?  Disheartening...

I guess that maybe steroids use is just something were going to have to come to grips with.  Liken it to 1962 when the season expanded to 162 games—something that can't be undone but can be adjusted to. 

Alex, I am sorry you got caught.  And do you know why I am sorry you got caught?  Because now you're just like my kid who I caught smoking weed with her "homies" behind the Burger King.  I still love you, and I always will.  Given time, I will even be able to forgive you this transgression.  But I just can't trust you anymore. 

I am so disappointed in you.