What's Next??

Rodriguez while with the Rangers in 2003

In an interview with Peter Gammons of ESPN, Alex Rodriguez admitted to using Performance Enhancing Drugs in 2001-2003. Now what? Rodriguez will most likely face no disciplinary action because afterall, the names on this list of 104 players were SUPPOSED TO BE confidential. The results were from a time when there were no penalties for using these substances although they were clearly wrong. So the fallout from Rodriguez will sort itself out in the coming days and weeks. If it comes to light that A-Rod did drugs anytime after 2003 things will change. But if things stay status quo, Rodriguez will have to repair his image. An image which has clearly taken a hit in the last year or so. The Madonna thing, the divorce, the stripper scandal... now this. It has not been a good year for the Yankee slugger. But I ask again... What's Next??

Will it come out later, that A-Rod did performance enhancing drugs at any other time? In his interview with Gammons, Rodriguez says that he did not do steroids at any other time. If that proves to be a lie, then A-Rod's image will be the least of his worries. He will face suspension and fine by MLB. That's what matters to A-Rod.. The on the field stuff.. His numbers.. Because let's face it, he's not a Madison Avenue magnet. He does not have as many endorsements as you would think a player of his level would be able to get. But to A-Rod's credit, he did do a mea culpa in the interview. He took responsibility for the drugs he took, but he claims he did not know what he took. Not sure about that but, ok... At least A-Rod didn't do what Bonds, McGwire, Palmeiro, and Clemens did. They denied their involvement, some vehenmently, and they are paying for it.

But here's my question: Who can we believe? God fearing Andy Pettitte did it, Alex Rodriguez did it, so who else did it??? I'm sure everyone in baseball didn't do it. But how do we know for sure? So as this plays out in the media, on the internet, and at the watercooler, I hope players don't get offended when reporters ask if they did any drugs. In America, you're innocent until proven guilty, but in the court of public opinion that is not the case. With what has been going on in baseball, the players have not earned that courtesy. The clean players have to pay for the dirty ones' transgressions. What do you guys think?? Leave a comment.