A-Roid: (2-17) Press conference (text)

February 17, 2009

12-7-07 60 Minutes interview denying it

2-9-09 Interview with Peter Gammons (text)
2-9-09 Interview with Gammons (video)
2-9-09 Calls SI writer a liar

2-17-09 Press conference (text)
2-17-09 Press conference (video)

AP Transcript of A-Roid’s press conference

“First, bear with me. I’m a little nervous, or a lot nervous, so bear with me a little bit.

“Let me start by thanking the Yankees, my teammates, our fans, for your support over the last couple weeks. The fact that you’re sitting with me here today means the world to me. The last couple weeks have been difficult and emotional.

“On the one hand, it’s extremely tough to admit mistakes. But on the other hand, it feels great to be moving forward. I know that I’m in a position where I have to earn my trust back, and over time I am confident that 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.

*A mistake* does not happen at least 36 times over 3 years.

“Last Monday, I began the first step in the process of earning back trust when I sat down with Peter Gammons. I did so to accomplish two things: to tell the truth and to apologize to my teammates and baseball fans everywhere. Now the next step is to address the media about what I took and where it came from.

What you’ll find is today’s truth is different than his Peter Gammons’ version of truth.

“On reflection, here’s what I remember:

Trying to cover himself for the Gammons interview.

“As I discussed with Peter Gammons, in the year 2001, 2002 and 2003, I experimented with a banned substance that eventually triggered a positive test.

*Experimentation* stops at one maybe two times – not 36. *Banned* substance = no admission. *Eventually* is an excellent word. He knew he was cheating and that he had gotten past some tests when he was. *Triggered* = no admission.

In September 2004, I had a meeting with Gene Orza. During that meeting, he explained to me that I had been among the players from which people might conclude that I tested positive. That was 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.

He knew he was caught. That’s all Orza could say in words. But one doesn’t need words – a look is enough – a dropped slip of paper. He knew and he later admits that he thought it would be ok since it had been 5 years. He can only admit that if he knew he had 100% sure he tested positive. And if he knew, why didn’t he have his come to Jesus moment then? Especially since he said he has been clean since then?

“I think it is important to know that the tests that were taken in 2003 were requested and voted by players to determine the extent of the drug problem in Major League Baseball.

This is a pathetic joke.

“Going back to 2001, my cousin started telling me about a substance that you can purchase over-the-counter in DR know as, in the streets, known as boli or bole. It was his understanding that it would give me a dramatic energy boost and 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 problem, providing (sic) just how ignorant we both were.

My cousin made me do it. A cousin he refuses to name. A cousin who smuggled the *banned* substance into the US.

“It was at this point, we decided to take it twice a month for about six months [the length of the baseball season] during the 2001, 2002 and 2003 season. We consulted no one and had no good reason to base that decision. It was pretty evident that we didn’t know what we’re doing.

We didn’t know what it was or what we were doing or the effect but we took it for 36 months. LIE LIE LIE,

“We did everything we could to keep it between us, and my cousin did not provide any other players with it.

Interesting tidbit to volunteer.

I stopped taking it in 2003 and haven’t take it since. I stopped taking the substance for several reasons.

Why did he need more than one?

In 2003, I had a serious neck injury and it scared me half to death. I was scared for my career and truly my career after baseball — my life after baseball. Secondly, after our voluntary test, all 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 then.

“Since that time, I’ve been tested regularly. I’ve taken urine tests consistent with Major League Baseball and blood tests for the World Baseball Classic. Before I walked here today, I took a test as part of my physical, and I’ll take another blood test next week for the Classic.

“In the days ahead, 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, however, I realize that these opinions are out of my control. What is within my control is going out and doing the job that I am blessed to do. Spring training represents a new start for me and a chance to win a championship, two opportunities I’m 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 — 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 is for sure that baseball is a lot bigger than Alex Rodriguez.

I did it because I was 18 when I came into the league. I was young and naive. I didn’t know what I was doing or what the effects were even though I had been in the game since 1996 and didn’t take them till 2001. And, oh, by the way, I was 26, 27 and 28 when I took those drugs. How stupid was the person who wrote that statement? And how stupid are the reporters who walked out of there believing him? One thye talked to said he would still vote him into the Hall of Fame. That is criminal. Why did they want him to say anything then?

“And to my teammates — (37-second pause)

“Thank you.”

A very dramatic pause while he looked right at the photographers but said no words including a simple public ‘I’m sorry’. Nothing to the players he cheated out of their position or the ones who were cut by the team or not payed what they were worth because of his grotesque salary. Those players should speak out loud and thoroughly trash him. And someone who got caught who is out of the game – above and beyond Conseco – should come forward and testify that he saw A-Roid take them after 2003. All of them should come forward – especially the ones who have never cheated and have nothing to gain.

Change the rules: Mandatory one year contract first year in the league. Written into the contract drug penalties not related to MLB’s policies. He cheats – he loses money. It’s the only way they will stop. And if they don’t they suffer REAL consequences – not this I’m sorry because I got caught and please bear with me because it’s been a tough couple of weeks. He walked in making hundreds of millions of dollars and he walked out making hundreds of millions of dollars and is still eligible for the $30M bonus he would get if he breaks Bonds’ cheating record. And in some people’s minds he is still eligible for the home run record and the Hall of Fame.

So what did he lose by this admission?

Absolutely nothing.

And Michael Phelps? Who really is a kid and who allegedly took a decidedly NON performance-enhancing drug AFTER he won 8 gold medal? And he gets tested after every race – not 10 times over 5 years after he is warned by his agent. It’s ridiculous. Phelps tests positive for cold medicine and he would have to forfeit his medals and be banned from the Olympics for life and have his records stripped.

Is anyone taking away A-Roid’s trophies? His stats for those years? Stats that allowed him to get that grotesques salary? His distinction of being the youngest player to hit 500 homers accomplished by his “experimentation”?

This is all a joke. And that’s how every kid in America will view it. Nothing he did or said will make them stop. Not even pandering to Mr Hooton whose 16 y/o son, Taylor, hung himself in his bedroom because of steroid use.

A complete idiot GREG DOYEL thinks A-Roid is the victim and should sue because the tests should have been destroyed by the players’ union. That’s how much of a joke this is. And he wrote that on SI.com for all young kids to see and justify their won use.