A Fraud

So Alex Rodriguez, one of the greatest pure hitters of our generation, took steroids. Which isn't the sad thing in all of this. Its that no one seems to care, or register any sort of shock or outrage. Rodriguez will likely end his career as the all time home run champ, somewhere in the neighborhood of 800 home runs. No one can dispute the skills of one Alex Rodriguez, a 40-40 man and the highest paid player in MLB, with his sweet swing and larger than life persona. While not as beloved as teammate, and Yankee captain, Derek Jeter, most casual sports fans can identify A-Rod as what he was before and remains after the news of his failed test, an excellent athlete and a player who will undoubtedly surpass Barry Bonds as home run king.

In the aftermath of the Mitchell Report, which by all intents and purposes was nothing more than a glorified witch hunt, fans have become numb. Numb to allegations of steroid use by some of the greatest players of our generation. Roger Clemens. Rafael Palmeiro. Sammy Sosa. Mark McGwire. Barry Bonds. And now Alex Rodriguez joins the list of former 1st ballot HOF locks to be convicted in the court of public opinion on counts of disgracing the game and disappointing fans everywhere. Sadly the accomplishments of those who chose to take the higher path, i.e. not take steroids, are overshadowed by an entire generation of juicers. Players that did it right, and never sacrificed their responsiblity to the fans and themselves to maintain the integrity of the game. But who are these player? Who is clean and who plays dirty? And perhaps this is the saddest conclusion of all, as no one is immune from the scrutiny.

It is no longer obvious, as pop eye arms and enlarged craniums no longer are the tell tale signs of steroid use. Jason Giambi and Mark McGwire post steroids emerged shells of their muscular selfs, and the longevity of Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens well into their 40s screamed of improrities. But A-Rod? The player who scouts raved about as a high schooler, with the sweet swing and enormous potential, is the latest player to be dragged into this entire steroid mess. But who cares anymore? Who is suprised by this news when every week it seems a different player is caught in his lies? Is it so shocking to hear another great player fall into the category of "cheater" or "juicer"? And in all of this, somewhere Jose Canseco the prophet is nodding in agreement.