Doesn't it feel like this is a rite of spring for the Yankees? A apologetic press conference re: steroids or some other banned substance by some player? First, Jason Giambi, then Andy Pettite, and now Alex Rodriguez (A-Rod).
Today A-Rod held a press conference. And while Alex Rodriguez had already admitted his steroids use last week, he had a lot more to say today.
In fact, here's the full transcript of Alex Rodriguez' (A-Rod's) press conference:
"First, bear with me I'm a little nervous or a lot nervous. So bear with me. Let me start by thanking the Yankees, my teammates, our fans for your support over the last couple of weeks. The fact that you are sitting with me here today means the world to me. The last couple of weeks have been difficult and emotional. On one hand, it's extremely tough to admit mistakes. On the other hand, it feels great to be moving forward.
"I know that I am in a position where I have to earn my trust back. And over time I am confident and at the end of my career people will see this for what it is - a stupid mistake and a lesson learned for a guy with a lot of baseball to play. Last Monday, I began the process of earning back trust when I sat down for an interview with Peter Gammons. I did so to accomplish two things: to tell the truth and to apologize to my teammates and baseball fans everywhere. The next step is to address the media about what I took and where it came from. On reflection, here's what I remember: as I discussed with Peter Gammons in the years 2001, 2002 and 2003, I experimented with a banned substance that eventually triggered a positive test.
"In September of 2004, I had a meeting with Gene Orza, during that meeting he explained to me that I had been among the players where people might conclude that I had tested positive. That's as specific as Gene could be. Because Gene stated to me that there were a number of players on that list, who might not have actually tested positive. I think it is important to note that the tests that were taken in 2003 were requested and voted by players to determine the extent of a drug problem in Major League Baseball. Going back to 2001, my cousin started telling me about a substance that can be purchased over the counter in the DR (Dominican Republic). In the streets it's known as "boli." It was his understanding that it would give me a dramatic energy boost and was otherwise harmless. My cousin and I, one more ignorant than the other, decided it was a good idea to start taking it. My cousin would administer it to me, but neither of us knew how to use it properly providing just how ignorant we both were. It was at this point, we decided to take it twice a month for about six months. During the 2001, 2002 and 2003 seasons, we consulted no one and had no good reason to base that decision. It was pretty evident we didn't know what we were doing. We did everything we could to keep it between us and my cousin did not provide any other players with it. I stopped taking it in 2003 and haven't taken it since.
"I stopped taking it for several reasons: In 2003, I had a serious neck injury and it scared me half to death. I was scared for my career and truly my life out of baseball. Secondly, after our voluntary test, the players voted for a major league drug policy. At that time it became evident to me how serious this all was. And I decided to stop than. Since that time, I've been tested regularly. I've taken urine tests regularly and blood test for the World Baseball Classic. Before coming here, I took a test as part of my physical and I will take another blood test next week for the Classic. I know that a lot of people are going to debate my past with various opinions. People are going to talk about my future, as though it's already been determined. I realize that these opinions are out of my control. What is in my control is going out and doing the job that I've been blessed to do. Spring Training represents a new start for me and a chance to win a championship - two opportunities I am very excited about. It isn't lost on me the good fortune I've received from playing baseball. When I entered the pros, I was a young kid in the major leagues I was 18 years old right out of high school, I thought I knew everything and I clearly didn't. Like everyone else, I've made a lot of mistakes in my life. The only way I know how to handle them is to learn from them and move forward. One thing I know for sure is that baseball is a lot bigger than Alex Rodriguez. And to my teammates (longgggg pause) thank you."
He also took some questions (surprisingly).
He said they were injected steroids, and that he didn't know they were steroids (oh, come on! What were they if they were injected?):
"I didn't think they were steroids. That's part of being young and stupid. It was over the counter, it was pretty basic and it was really amateur hour. It was two guys who couldn't go outside, who couldn't ask anyone, didn't want to ask anyone. We went outside team doctors, team trainers. It was two guys doing a very amateur and immature thing. We probably didn't even take it right. Like I said in my statemen,t we used to do it about two times a month. I don't even know if that was proper. So when this gentleman asked me about how it affected us - I'm not sure we even did it right to affect us in the right way. All these years, I never thought I had done anything that was wrong. And come to find out that bole triggered a positive test in '03."
Oof. Dunno about that last one. Personally, it means if A-Rod eventually surpasses Bonds' all-time HR record, we will have #1 and #2 with asterisks by their names.
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