Alex Rodriguez Accuses Selena Roberts Of Stalking Him

Alex Rodriguez did the right thing by quickly coming clean about his use of steroids, and by most accounts he seemed forthright and genuine in his interview with Peter Gammons. Yes, parts of it seemed scripted (because, let's face it, they were), but overall he seemed contrite, which is really all fans can ask for after being subjected to the soap operas surrounding the likes of Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens.

A-Rods Controversies

Days after a report that he tested positive for steroids during his American League MVP campaign in 2003, superstar Alex Rodriguez admits to using performance-enhancing drugs during his time with the Texas Rangers from 2001 to 2003. Click through to find out more about A-Rod's checkered past.

Chris Carlson, AP

Former manager Joe Torre's recently released book, 'The Yankee Years', included details of A-Rod's tumultuous stay with the Yankees. In the book, Torre claims A-Rod was known by teammates as "A-Fraud" and paints him as mentally fragile.

Ezra Shaw, Getty Images

Rodriguez's decision not to play for the United States at the upcoming World Baseball Classic put him in the middle of another firestorm. A-Rod chose to join David Ortiz's Dominican squad over the nation of his birth.

Kena Betancur, AP

There have also been rumors that Rodriguez dated pop star Madonna, with numerous reports of the two spending time together.

Jim Rogash, Getty Images

In May 2007, many called this slide into the Red Sox's Dustin Pedroia to break up a double play dirty, as part of the heated Red Sox-Yankees rivalry.

Nick Laham, Getty Images

He filed for free agency during Game 4 of the 2007 World Series, drawing the ire of fans and officials. Some accused A-Rod of trying to grab the spotlight as the Yankees' big rivals were closing in on their second title in four seasons. He later re-signed with New York.

Jim McIsaac, Getty Images

The New York tabloids had a field day after the Yankees star was allegedly caught with a "mystery blonde" at the end of May of 2007. The woman was later identified as an exotic dancer, and his wife filed for divorce from him just over a year later, citing his infidelity.

New York Post

Things have been frosty for A-Rod and Derek Jeter since Rodriguez dissed his buddy by saying Jeter was "never your concern" when facing the Yankees.

Tony Gutierrez, AP

Despite being named AL MVP (48 homers, 130 RBI) in 2005, Yankee fans called out A-Rod by saying many of his homers came in meaningless situations.

Morry Gash, AP

A-Rod's awkward slap that knocked the ball from Bronson Arroyo's glove in the 2004 ALCS enhanced his reputation as a player who folded in the clutch.

Amy Sancetta, AP

That said, one thing did stand out in the interview: his bitterness toward Selena Roberts, the reporter who broke the story for Sports Illustrated.

From ESPN:

Rodriguez also criticized Sports Illustrated and said Selena Roberts, one of its reporters who covered the story, stalked him. He also accused Roberts of trying to break into his home last week while his two daughters were sleeping. Sports Illustrated released a statement, saying it "stands by the story and the professional manner in which it was reported. Selena Roberts is a distinguished journalist and her reporting in this case led to Alex Rodriguez's admission that he used performance-enhancing drugs."

It's impossible to say whether Rodriguez is telling the truth, but on the surface the charges seem too outrageous to believe. Rodriguez may not appreciate Roberts airing his dirty laundry, but everything she's reported was verified by multiple sources, which is more than can be said for his off-the-wall allegations:

"The allegations made by Alex Rodriguez are absurd," said Roberts, in the statement. "I've never set foot in the lobby of Alex's New York apartment building, never spoken to the University of Miami police, and never set foot on his home property or been cited by the Miami Police for doing so."

Of course, that's not to say Roberts has been completely upfront about her intentions, either. It's not mentioned anywhere in her now famous article, but Roberts' interest in Rodriguez's private life goes beyond a positive steroid test in 2003.

As River Avenue Blues points out, she's also the author of an upcoming biography, Hit and Run: The Many Lives of Alex Rodriguez. Amazon.com is accepting pre-orders and indicates it'll be released on May 19, 2009.

In other words, if Rodriguez wants to claim that Roberts has a personal stake in drumming up a witch hunt, well, he's right. But until he actually disputes any of Roberts' allegations (or actually has proof that Roberts conducted her investigation in an unethical manner), it's hard to take him seriously in the role of the victim.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

2-09-2009 @ 8:26PM

nassaulaw said...

The story is by definition unethical. Ms. Roberts relied exclusively upon anonymous sources who leaked confidential information, and her story was geared towards nailing one guy, while 103 others were implicated too on the same confidential list. Ms. Roberts is an example of just how low some people will go to make a buck off someone who is better than they are.

2-09-2009 @ 8:54PM

lakergregg said...

But she wasn't wrong,A-ROID admitted to doping.
And,he admitted to having lied when previously asked if he ever used or thought about using PED's.
The guys a classic example or a narcicist.

2-09-2009 @ 9:47PM

TheHulk said...

Selena (double standard) Roberts certinly didn't like it when she was talked about...even though she admits to going to his home and his gym to CONTRONT HIM (in the false name of fairness)

Making your livly hood of of someone problems is a PATHETIC way to make a living.

These so called reporters are worst then Paparazzi if you can't name all 104 don't single out one.

I think this whole thing stinks to high heven starting with Major League Baseball all the way to the Unions.

Baseball, football, runners, oylimpic, cyclist and now boxers are a bunch of cheaters... all the records should be stricken in all sports since 1963 till now...

2-09-2009 @ 9:49PM

Your Majesty said...

a leaked info article, a book, showing up at the gym where he was working out sounds like stalking to me,

2-11-2009 @ 8:16AM

BettorFan said...

I totally agree with The Hulk - A-Roid didn't need to be singled out. Release the full list and let the 103 others be outed.

2-10-2009 @ 1:32PM

skates99 said...

Selena Roberts is the same "reporter" (if you can even call her that!) who wrote blatantly fraudulant articles about the Duke Lacrosse players a few years ago...shame on Sports Illustrated for giving this woman a job and letting her continue to ruin people's lives!

2-09-2009 @ 11:41PM

Sean McPartlin said...

Does anyone really care? They are both losers.

2-10-2009 @ 1:16AM

Janet said...

Quickly coming clean? What the heck are you talking about? He has been lying about taking steroids for a long time. He's finally admitted it, but that doesn't erase the previous lies.

2-10-2009 @ 6:59AM

shalebrook said...

Re: the reporter and Rodriguez both, if you walk through a cow pasture cow manure is sure to stick to your boots-i.e. they are both dirty from this experience. She may have gotten her story, but she was chasing him down only and in that respect she was indeed stalking him.

2-10-2009 @ 8:12AM

geotoyou said...

I agree with Hulk, name all of them! If you're going to single someone out at least tell about some of the good things hes done, like how he donated over 3 mill towards kids programs in Flordia!

2-10-2009 @ 8:32AM

MamaMamaBingo said...

Liar Liar pants on fire lol. He came clean now cause the Shhhh-t hit the fan.McGuire took the 5th.Clemens,Bonds etc.etc. all that's in darkness will come to light lol.They should'ved fallowed Giambis foot steps and come clean as soon as they were confronted with it.They have no one to blame but themselves.Another slap on the face for the almighty YANKEES lmao. BROOKLYN NYC ( METS FAN )

2-10-2009 @ 8:53AM

roger childress said...

Give it a break...This is what reporters do.....They find a story and run with it.So she tried to get him to answer her questions about this report...that is what reporters do.Its funny how all these Stanky Yankee fans are running their mouths about this reporter now.Crap floats to the top especially when it has been forced to and then,and only then,does it say how sorry it was to be found floating and then it went on to try and defray the blame by coming after a reporter.Far as this fan is concerened A-Roid is low life he has proven it with prostitutes...Madonna...lies etc etc etc.What is really fanning Yankee fans is the fact that SO MANY of their players have been named.....truth is ALL the names should come out and all stats taken back while they were useing.Facts are that ROIDS may not have been on any MLB list of banned substances BUT steroids were BANNED BY THE LAW PERIOD.But thats ok for some of you....well lets see since baseball does not actually have any rule against murder in baseball I guess it would be ok for ball players to do so...But "I was young and afraid and didn't know better" well guess what how many people are in prison that could say the same thing....but they still payed a price for their mistakes and THEN one hopes they become better people.AROD IS A LIER AND A SCUM AND HE FLOATED TO THE TOP EVEN IF FORCED TO DO SO....AROD is simply using a time honored metod of defense and its called...A GOOD DEFENSE IS A BETTER OFFENSE.

2-10-2009 @ 10:29AM

YNKEGRL said...

What a witch...Karma is a bad thing. He will rise above all this BS. He has been clean and had consistant #'s since 2003...so move on people. The performance enhancing drugs made no difference. Boycott SI and her pathetic book.

2-10-2009 @ 11:05AM

pepetau said...

IT IS ALL AMERICAN TO FORGIVE!
LET'S FACE IT, THIS PERIOD IN BASEBALL WAS FULL OF TRY THIS AND TRY THAT. IT WILL ENHANCE YOUR PERFORMANCE AND IT IS NOT AGAINST THE LAW OR ANY BASEBALL RULES!
HOW ABOUT THE CONFIDENTIALITY PROTOCOL OF THESE 104 TEST? ARE WE ENTITLED TO THE OTHER 103 PLAYERS?
SELENA WANTS TO SELL HER BOOK!
I BET SHE LIVES IN A GLASS HOUSE!

2-10-2009 @ 1:13PM

Jane said...

I'm sick of all this bullsh*t. I've had more than I can stand of Selena Roberts. What an a-hole she is.

Stop singling out and harassing athletes. ENOUGH.

2-10-2009 @ 8:02PM

ojenkins said...

look at her she is mad because she is so ugly. this "my sources" gave me infomation is bull chit. snitches and cowards throw stones and hide behind the stuff. meadia re jealous of the fame and money that others make so the attack them with whatever dirt they can. if the snitch is telling the truth, why does he need to hide behind the stuff.