A-Rod expects steroid talk to be drawn-out process
Photo credit: Getty Images Photo | Alex Rodriguez of the Yankees watches batting practice before a game against the Tampa Bay Rays.
TAMPA, Fla. - Alex Rodri guez said he isn't surprised at the continuing drama surrounding him. He is not commenting specifically on further revelations and allegations regarding his steroid use, but he knows the controversy will not fade anytime soon.
"I've had some practice," he said of dealing with difficult situations. "It's pretty much what I expected." But he acknowledged that "this is uncharted territory for me" and said of getting back to normal: "It's going to take a while." He guessed it could even be 18 to 24 months.
At his news conference Tuesday, Rodriguez detailed his story of steroid use from 2001 to 2003. Since then, the cousin he said injected him with "boli" has been identified as Yuri Sucart. ESPN has reported that the substance Primobolan was not legal or available over the counter in the Dominican Republic. And Rodriguez has been linked to Angel "Nao" Presinal, a Dominican trainer whose name has been tainted by allegations of steroid use.
"Absolutely no comment," was A-Rod's reaction to the alleged association with Presinal.
According to a baseball source, in the past, Rodriguez was warned to stay away from Presinal by the Yankees, Major League Baseball and the players association. He ignored the warning.
Rodriguez did say he plans to be more careful about whom he associates with. "Absolutely," he said. "You have to think about everything."
He declined to talk about Sucart but did not absolutely rule out talking more about steroid use in the future, saying: "Not for now. For now, I'm really focusing on one day at a time and not reacting."
Rodriguez confirmed that Major League Baseball has requested a meeting with him to discuss his steroid use. He said he believes it will be held in Tampa but does not know when.
General manager Brian Cashman and manager Joe Girardi said they expect a drawn-out saga. "This stuff won't die for a while," Cashman said.
Cashman said that's true regardless of whether every detail of Rodriguez's steroid use already is out or if there is more to come. Said Cashman: "Maybe he did say everything. Our advice was to be honest. I'm not here to vouch for anybody. The most important thing was that Tuesday got here. Globally, the most important thing was an admission of past steroid use."
Girardi said Rodriguez has appeared focused on baseball the last several days, each day a little bit more so. Girardi does not plan to check with him regarding every new detail that might come out but will periodically "check his temperature" to make sure he is doing all right.
Rodriguez said he is focused on the upcoming season and helping the Yankees win a World Series. Beyond that, he said he wants to try to be a better father. He said he has been helped by teammates, who he said have been "overwhelmingly supportive."
As for what could help him win back the fans, he said: "I do think that a world championship can help. It can't hurt."
Notes & quotes: Chien-Ming Wang threw live batting practice for the first time. Among the batters he faced was Bernie Williams, who is working out at George M. Steinbrenner Field while preparing to play for Puerto Rico in the WBC ... Andrew Brackman, the Yankees' No. 1 draft pick in 2007, also threw batting practice Friday. He was sidelined most of last season after Tommy John surgery and said: "I feel like more a part of camp now. It's always an honor to be involved in big league camp, but it's nice to actually be throwing." The 6-10 Brackman dropped from 270 pounds last February to 230.
Staff writer Ken Davidoff contributed to this story.
comments