A-Rod, once considered the best player in Major League Baseball, yet is now at the center of another scandal involving performance-enhancing drugs. After his well-chronicled admission of PED use and his very public apology in 2009 following the now infamous Sports Illustrated article even his most ardent supporters, of which I am one, find it increasingly difficult to defend him and his eventual legacy with the same gusto of years past. Before addressing the issue at hand, let me be absolutely clear: cheating of any kind, is completely unacceptable.
Yet, guilt or innocence aside, it almost never fails. What, you might ask? The societal ire when Latino or African-American superstar athletes or entertainers defend themselves when charged with wrongdoing – whether in a trial or court of public opinion – while deploying vast financial resources in their vigorous pursuit of a desired outcome. This rage is further enflamed when the subject is known for being disingenuous, narcissistic, or self-aggrandizing. Ironically, much of this hate comes from the very legion of fans and team owners that cheered and revered him when his on the field exploits filled stadium seats by the thousands, delivered postseason appearances, league pennants or a World Series championship.
Though A-Rod’s on- and off-the-field incidents do not endear him to many fans (or fellow MLB players for that matter) I applaud his decision to mount an offensive against a deliberate attempt by MLB to target him exclusively under the guise of ‘leveling the playing’ field and ‘cleaning up the sport.’ My issue here is not whether MLB has empirical evidence on Rodriguez and his alleged involvement with Biogenesis; chances are they do. Or that MLB should not impose severe penalties to discourage recidivism, particularly on repeat offenders; they absolutely should. My problem is the lack of evidence that supports MLB’s claim that A-Rod and his camp obstructed their investigation by destroying material evidence or attempts to. Where’s the conclusive proof that he or anyone else bribed Biogenesis staff? Or snitched on other players to divert MLB’s attention? If you believe what MLB tells the media their 211-game ban on Alex, unprecedented for a player who ‘technically’ never tested positive for steroids in his professional career, was largely influenced by charges of bribing and obstructing an investigation.
The fact that other players caved to MLB and accepted immediate suspensions does not obligate Alex to sheepishly follow suit. Especially when rules and procedures exist that grant players rights such as permitting a suspension to be appealed. MLB is flexing its authority while expecting players to cower with little or no resistance and perhaps even waive their rights. Without presenting their findings to a mediator, MLB can dangerously brandish the triple-play weapon of judge, jury and executioner at any time on anyone. Imagine if law enforcement in every jurisdiction wielded this type of power. Al Sharpton and his National Action Network would be working overtime.
I marvel when I hear things like: “If you’re guilty, just admit it,” or “Take your punishment and move on. People will respect you all the more.” Really? Obviously, the economic and social elite does not subscribe to that theory. When faced with the prospect of jail, fines, or defamation of character, they fully unleash their clout with staggeringly positive results. They employ this so routinely it’s become accepted. Why should we react differently when a celeb Latino athlete does the same? Because we expect the Heinz, Kennedy or Vanderbilt families to rage against this treatment. When surnames like Rodriguez, Garcia, or Martinez surface, public reactions border on resentment from almost every race, Latinos included.
For those old enough to remember, Susan Smith was supposedly the “victim” of a horrific crime until coming clean about her fabrication. Prior to her admission, however, the riveting story of her two young sons being abducted by a black male quickly predisposed a nation to cast a guilty verdict. While I am not comparing this situation to that of A-Rod, what if this mountain of ‘strong’ evidence MLB has uncovered is not as potent or damaging as it’s been portrayed to the media and consuming public? What if their interpretation of this evidence is flawed? Who can vouch for its credibility? In this unilateral investigation, one party has controlled the flow of information and – until Alex appealed his suspension – steamrolled its targets with no obligations to disclose information.
If A-Rod is found guilty after undergoing a fair and due process in which he and his team have their say, so be it. But do we honestly think MLB would launch such a campaign if, say, Francisco Cervelli publicly denied the allegations? Highly unlikely. Sure A-Rod is no angel in this unfolding drama but I sense a hint of disdain for the man and obvious currents of testosterone-charged egos in all of this. Look at the “hate” ingredients: $252 million deal reworked into a $300 million contract (highest in US sports history), 6’4″, chick magnet, celebrity treatment (all-day, everyday) and a lifestyle envied at varying degrees by millions.
There’s no denying Rodriguez appears to relish his role as an accelerant and much to the disappointment of family, friends and fans, seems all too willing to immerse himself in the limelight often at his own professional peril. Once heralded as the heir apparent to Babe Ruth as the greatest player in history, his baseball accomplishments and legacy have been stained indelibly. His fast-track ticket to Cooperstown now derailed by his own shenanigans Alex may have permanently shut the door of redemption.
All of that said, our judicial system presupposes innocence until proven guilty. Rodriguez shouldn’t be crucified for exercising his rights. For all of MLB’s bravado and their hefty suspension, they have yet to validate the “proven”part.
Until they do, Alex, for a change, is finally on the right side of this one.
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