A-Roid: The Fall of a Legend- Sports Talk with the Straight Shuter

A-Roid: The Fall of a Legend- Sports Talk with the Straight Shuter

by Jesse Shuter

Staff Writer

 

Photo courtesy of http://www.silive.com/sports/index.ssf/2009/02/more_details_of_alex_rodriguez.html

 

 

The Controversy surrounding ex-star baseball player Alex “A-Rod” Rodriguez of the New York Yankees has been one of the most talked about issues in all of sports.

 

The controversy began a while ago when Alex Rodriguez was first rumored to be using steroids along with other form of performance enhancing drugs (PEDs). Last time Rodriguez was caught, he admitted to it and many people forgave him for it. This past summer, of 2013, Rodriguez was yet again discovered taking many kinds of PEDs, when an alleged nutrition clinic in Coral Gables, Florida called Biogenesis of America came out with a list of professional baseball players using their PEDs.

 

Every other player thus far has taken their suspension without much issue. At least not much issue compared to Rodriguez. Rodriguez is now planning to challenge the suspension for the second time to try and get it taken away.

 

Rodriguez first tried to appeal the suspension by taking it to arbitration. His suspension was shorted from the original 211 games to 162 games and the postseason if the Yankees go to the playoffs. While Rodriguez technically “won” by getting the suspension shortened, it was clearly a win for the MLB since the suspension was not overturned, and it was only shorted by 50 games.

 

Now Rodriguez is still unhappy with the unpaid suspension and is looking to get it completely taken away. He is taking his case to federal court.

 

In an interview with 60 Minutes, Anthony Bosch founder and head of Biogenesis of America not only admitted to having given drugs to Rodriguez himself, but admitted to getting a bribe from Rodriguez to not tell anyone about the PEDs. When Bosch turned it down, he claimed that he received death threats from a man who was revealed to be a known accomplice of Rodriguez.

 

When asking the question “Is Rodriguez using illegal substances?”, all signs point to yes. However I would like to raise a point that no one seems believe to be true, is Alex Rodriguez telling the truth?

The 1% Chance

 

At this point there is probably a 99% chance that Alex Rodriguez is lying and that his career should be over and his name ripped from the record books.

 

That being said, there is always a chance that Rodriguez is the one telling the truth and the MLB is working with Bosch to make an example of someone expendable so as to scare other baseball players away from using drugs.

 

The most important key to this story is that Alex Rodriguez never tested positive for PEDs. This entire suspension is based solely on a testimony by Anthony Bosch. That is why Rodriguez is so adamant that he is innocent. This is the first time that the MLB is punishing a player only based on what someone says that they are doing, not because of them taking a drug test and failing.

 

Let’s take a look at what Rodriguez must be feeling in a scenario where he is telling the truth.

 

Before the Scandal:

-He was on pace to be a hall of fame baseball player.

-He was one of the most beloved and respected players in the game

-He was making approximately a whopping 30,000,000 per year.

-He was the owner of two records, he was the youngest player to hit both 500 and 600 home runs.

 

After the Scandal:

-He will most likely not go to the hall of fame.

-He has lost all respect and love from fans and peers.

-He lost his contract for as long as the suspension continue, and his career is most likely over after his current contract.

-He will still own the records officially but people will no longer unofficially think of him as a record setter.

 

If this were a man that were telling the truth, would that be fair? And consider this, now that the MLB is punishing player without a drug test, are any star players safe from accusations and by extensions suspensions?

 

 

 

Inside the NFL Draft:

With the football season over we are going to take a look into the NFL Draft. You’ve heard of Mel Kiper and Todd McShay but here is Jesse Shuter’s Mock Draft 1.0. This week is pick 1-5.

 

1. Houston Texans- Jadeveon Clowney DE

If I were a head coach, this is what I would do. You already have J.J. Watt, so now you could have the best pass rush in football, and then pull a Indianapolis Colts and get Jameis Winston next year. This is especially true since in my opinion their are no high caliber quarterbacks in the draft.

2. St. Louis Rams (From Washington Redskins)- Jake Matthews OT

The Rams are a team on the rise and Matthews would be a great compliment to Jake Long.

 

3. Jacksonville Jaguars- Johnny Manziel QB

Manziel may not be their answer at quarterback, but I’ll tell you what, they need someone. Manziel is a hit or miss option talent wise, but even if it doesn’t work out, he will definitely bring some fans to the games.

 

4. Cleveland Browns- Teddy Bridgewater/Blake Bortles QB

I don’t know who the coach is going to be, so I don’t know what system they are going to run. Both of these guys have the potential to be great, but they are different so it is up to the unnamed coach.

 

5. Oakland Raiders- Anthony Barr OLB/DE

This team need A LOT, but Barr is a very solid, possibly star defensive player and he could be just the place to start on a road back on track for the Raiders.