Why Should We Believe A-Rod?

Alex Rodriguez confessed that between 2001 and 2003 he took testosterone and anabolic steroids, one being Primobolan for which he tested positive for. But should we take his word that he only "roided" those three years of his career?

In an era plagued with players using now-banned substances, A-Rod became known as a true hitter and was often compared to Ken Griffey Jr. for his talent. Now, with the Sports Illustrated article outing A-Rod, his career will forever be marred and doubt cast on not just those three years he said he took steroids.

In 2001, A-Rod hit 52 home runs, had 135 RBIs, and had a slugging percentage of .622. The next year he bested those phenomenal numbers by hitting 57 home runs, batting in 142 runs, and a slugging percentage of .623. 2003, the last year A-Rod says he used steroids he hit 47 homers, had 118 RBIs and a slugging percentage of .600.

As a New York Yankee A-Rod continued to put up extremely strong numbers, and in 2007, he hit 54 home runs, batted in 156 runs, and had a slugging percentage of .645. Albeit three home runs, it was the best year of his career. Granted that the MLB had instituted its no-doping policy back in 2004, it has been shown annually that players are still getting around it whether it be by using HGH or other anabolic substances that are not showing up on the drug screens.

There's only been one year in which A-Rod played the full season and hit less than 30 home runs, 1997, a year which all of his stats were down compared to past and future years. Other than that A-Rod has been spectacular and since he's admitted that he didn't know what he was taking, was he taking it all along?

In an interview with Katie Couric, A-Rod flat out says he has never used steroids, but in a recent interview with ESPN's Peter Gammons A-Rod said "I wasn't even being truthful with myself. How am I going to be truthful with Katie or CBS?" (ESPN.com) Further into the interview, A-Rod tells Peter Gammons that he has not said one word to Scott Boras since the Sports Illustrated article came to light...really?

Congress has announced this morning that they intend to subpoena Rodriguez to discuss his use of steroids.

If he hasn't been truthful in the past, why should we believe him now? Although Barry Bonds has officially never failed a drug test, his career has been ruined and an asterisk has been placed by his accolades.

Should A-Rod receive the same treatment?