Needless to say, not a lot has gone right for Alex Rodriguez this week. After a Sports Illustrated article cornered him into admitting he used steroids, he's taken his turn as the media's favorite whipping boy, drawing scorn from his commissioner, former team owner and fellow players alike.But while most people seem to be distancing themselves from the disgraced the star, the University of Miami actually dedicated their baseball field in his honor on Friday night, naming it "Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field." Rodriguez, who funded the recent renovations at the facility with a $3.9 million donation made six years ago, received a standing ovation before speaking at the ceremony.
Given the circumstances, it would have been perfectly understandable for the university to postpone the dedication ceremony, but to their credit they stayed on schedule. And while Rodriguez may not seem like much of an example for amateur athletes at the moment, he urged the school's baseball players to learn from his mistakes.
"I have been so fortunate to have received so much from a game I love so much," Rodriguez said. "That doesn't mean I haven't made mistakes, and unless you've been in a cave under the ocean this last week, you know that I've made some. What it does mean is that I understand only in America can you dream big, work hard, and be rewarded beyond your wildest dreams."Drafted out of high school, Rodriguez never actually attended the University of Miami, but as a kid growing up he would sneak into the park to watch games. Ever since turning pro, he returns to the area in the offseason and frequently works out on campus.
[...] "There will be adversity along the way," Rodriguez said. "But regardless of the challenges that lie ahead, move forward, address your errors and right your path."
It's easy to look at this and assume that it's merely a disgraced celebrity trying to drum up some positive PR., but Friday's ceremony was six years in the making, long before he had a clue anyone would find out about his secret. The man has made some mistakes, but he's also done some very good things along the way, as well.
Baseball and Steroids
Barry Bonds, baseball's home run king, faces charges of lying to a jury after testifying he did not use steroids, despite reports that he did fail drug tests. Click through for more players who have been accused of taking performance enhancing-drugs or tested positive.
Paul Sakuma, AP
Astros shortstop Miguel Tejada is charged with lying to Congress over testimony he gave regarding steroids, a charge he is expected to plead guilty to.
Doug Benc, Getty Images
After a report surfaced that Alex Rodriguez failed a 2003 drug test, the star admitted he used steroids as a member of the Texas Rangers from 2001 to 2003.
Charles Krupa, AP
Roger Clemens is under fire for insisting in a hearing that he did not use performance-enhancing drugs, despite what his former personal trainer has claimed.
Pablo Martinez Monsivais, AP
Jose Canseco admitted he used steroids in his book "Juiced," and also named several of his former teammates as performance-enhancing drug users.
Mark Wilson, Getty Images
Giants minor league catcher Eliezer Alfonzo was suspended last June for 50 games after he failed a drug test.
Chris Graythen, Getty Images
Braves top prospect Jordan Schafer was suspended 50 games last season by the commissioner's office for violating the minor league drug program. Schafer was reportedly caught in possession of human growth hormone.
Elsa, Getty Images
In 2007, outfielder Jose Guillen received a 15-day suspension following media reports linking him to performance-enhancing drugs. Guillen's suspension was eliminated as part of baseball's new agreement on drug testing.
Jamie Squire, Getty Images
Outfielder Jay Gibbons was suspended in 2007 after being linked to HGH use. Following the suspension, Gibbons admitted receiving human growth hormone in 2005 and apologized, but was released by the Orioles before they opened the regular season. Gibbons signed a minor-league deal with the Marlins last month.
Scott A. Schneider, Getty Images
In December 2007, Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts issued an apology and admitted to using steroids on a single occasion in 2003 shortly after he was named in the Mitchell Report.
Doug Benc, Getty Images
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Arod - You are Still my hero!
Sports Contests
BetUSB.com
offers free contests, sports contests, free sports contests, free picks.
Another example of how far our standards have fallen today. Whats next Michael Vick Dog racing track? maybe an O J Simpson football stadium?
Pathetic Pathetic Pathetic !!!!!!!
Ah yes, The house that roids built! But we should all expect that from the University of Miami!
My 8 year old son took down all the pictures of A-Rod after he learned of steroid use. "He cheated my son said." Now they build a stadium to him. Nice message for my boy.
First of all the naming situation took place about 6 years ago when he donated $3.9 million to Mark Light Field's renovations. It's a shame that this news break coincided with the opening of the renovated stadium @ UM but to say they named it after him because he too 'roids, that's preposterous. He donated that money years before his admission for steroids.
Aah, don't you just love capitalism! Lay down millions, and all is forgotten. The right hand says, "But he's a criminal and a cheat!", while the left hand says, "But he gave us a LOT of money! Go ahead and put his name up there.". Hey, it always worked for the mafia--steal from the people, then build them a children's park, and all is well.
Wow! So many PERFECT people! YOu guys are so lucky!
absolutely right about our total LACK OF STANDARDS for fat, overpaid assholes who have no problem breaking the rules, cheating, lying... wonder what the IRS would find...
Drugs? good drugs..bad drugs...Drugs that make you stronger. What's illegal today, was not illegel years ago.
The drug, caffeine? It's illegal in the Olympics, but not in other sports. sOME Kids the age of 8, 10, and 12 drink caffeniE drinks before ball games. Is this fair to the kids who don't drink caffeine before a game. I've seen 8 year old drink 24Oz of Mountain Dew before a ball game. They can play 2 or 3 basketball/baseball games and never get tired.
I predict one day this will be illegal.
Is easy for everyone to kill this man for something he did and was not ilegal,at early time, if all of you are so angry at what A Rod did why don't you ask who were the others 103 player who's name is in the list.
I would like to congratulate to all of the judges who felt they kids are seing a bad exammple. you mean to tell me you never cheat or lying. I don't think so.
1)A-rod tested positive in 2003 when he was with the rangers.
2)He has not tested positive after that test.
3)He admitted to using them for the 01-02-03 seasons under the watchful eye of the team owner who new about it probly supplied it and is now bashing him for it.
4)A-Rod could have hid he could have said it was only that season but now he admitted to all of his use of the drug.
The answer is that even if you take away his numbers for those 3 seasons he passes Bonds easily so let it go people. He admitted his use, he said he is sorry, now lets grow up and move on!!!!!
Let it go. Come on. If it were anyone else you would be talkin trash about them. Just because he is a yankee doesn't make him superior. Yeah he confessed. So let him pay the price just like everyone else is doing. Hell all Pete Rose did was bet on games and they banned him from the hall. These guys are using DRUGS and they you are asking us true baseball fans to forget about it. I don't think so.