New York Yankees: Could Alex Rodriguez Be the Victim?

Back in 2009, I was among the minority of New York Yankees fans who still liked Alex Rodriguez after he admitted to having used PEDs (performance enhancing drugs) between 2001-2003.

See I believed A-Rod when he said he made a “stupid mistake." He is after all a human being.

Well that was then and this is now, as after reading the Miami New Times article yesterday I started hearing the Great White cover of the Ian Hunter classic “Once Bitten, Twice Shy” playing in my head.

The MNT article expanded on a Daily News piece from last Saturday, which cited an unknown source:

"

The Drug Enforcement Administration and Major League Baseball are investigating a Miami-area man named Anthony Bosch—who has worked closely with Alex Rodriguez—for Bosch’s possible links to performance-enhancing drugs, sources have told the Daily News. The sources asked not to be identified because of the ongoing probe.

"

The New Times' article showed handwritten notes supposedly belonging to Bosch that listed A-Rod’s detailed PED orders from the last four years.

Bosch and his father are currently the centerpieces of an ongoing investigation about providing many professional athletes with PEDs.

Regardless of whether this latest story is true or not, how can anyone ever trust A-Rod again?

This cannot be blamed on coincidence or guilt by association. Listening to Hal Steinbrenner continually promise Yankee fans a championship-caliber ball club but not doing anything about it is making everyone question his character. 

So I imagine that A-Rod’s HUGE contract is giving Hal ajita, as A-rod is still owed $114 million too over the next five seasons. 

Problem is the Yankees are handcuffed to A-Rod's contract, as finding a team reckless enough to trade for him is out of the question. This leaves Hal & Co. at A-Rod's mercy.

That is unless the Yankees could somehow force A-Rod out of New York by playing on his insecurities. 

The reason I question the Yankees authenticity here is because of the multiple media outlets reporting how desperate ownership is into figuring out how to cut ties with A-Rod and his contract, including
ESPN New York,  AOL Sporting News and Sports Illustrated

A-Rod has never failed a drug test as a Yankee, and MLB has not concluded anything to be true yet so what is the rush here?

I guess I am wondering if the Yankees true intentions about A-Rod are based on principle or paycheck? As without question it has been the latter this entire offseason, so I have my guard up here.

The bottom line is I am praying to God that somehow A-Rod name gets cleared.

Regarding A-Rod losing credibility, well, who said he had any to begin with?

I have stuck up for this man for years to fans, friends and family alike.

I stood and cheered at Yankee Stadium when everyone else was booing him because I believed he deserved better as a human being.

But that is not why I hope Alex Rodriguez was framed. It is my love for sports and cheaters threaten that authentic feeling for fans, which is just not fair.

"

I would prefer even to fail with honor than win by cheating.—Sophocles 

"