Ok, so I've had a day to think about this mess Alex Rodriguez's leaked test results have caused.
Whether it's Buster Olney, Jayson Stark, or even his former manager Buck Showalter, everyone on ESPN has expressed his or her opinion on the matter.
Most writers seem to think baseball is tarnished forever. And in many ways, it may be:
The all-time hits leader (Mr. Peter E. Rose) won't be in the Hall of Fame.The all-time home run leader (assuming that's where A-Rod's highway leads him) won't be in the Hall of Fame.The man who broke Hank Aaron's record (Barry Bonds) won't be in the Hall.The man who broke Roger Maris' record (Mark McGwire) won't be in the Hall.The man who was once the winningest right-handed pitcher of the live-ball era (Roger Clemens) won't be in the Hall.The man with the most 60-homer seasons in baseball history (Sammy Sosa) doesn't look like he's headed for the Hall, either.-Jayson Stark
Yes, there is no other sport that can claim that so many statistical leaders are or may be denied entry into their respective Halls of Fame. But the statement that A-Rod's test was an attack on the sport itself is ludicrous. He was doing what was best for him in a time when it seemed like the only way to get ahead. He wasn't the only one to do it, and I'm sure there are many other superstars that have used performance-enhancing drugs.
I'm not making an excuse for him. What he did was more than just a rules infringement; it was a poor moral decision. What I am saying is he wasn't thinking about baseball history or how this would hurt the game. A-Rod doesn't think that way. Through his relationships with his teammates and the media, it's clear he's only out to make himself the center of attention.
This is why he was caught at a strip club with a woman who is not his wife in Toronto.
This is why he has a strange relationship with Madonna.
This is why he acts like everyone is out to get him.
This is why he is nicknamed "The Cooler" by former teammates, noting his negative effect in locker room chemistry.
This is why he used steroids.
But America's Pasttime is not destroyed or tarnished forever. These records held hostage by the steroid era will fall. Pete Rose will be allowed into the Hall. America won't care.
That's the thing that these sportswriters tend to forget -- America doesn't care what you've done. America forgives. America forgets. America will take repeated punishment as long as you make them smile once in a while.
One man isn't going to ruin this system MLB has installed. Baseball is only behind football in terms of revenue, when its life was once threatened by strikes by players and apathy by fans. Sportswriters have the ability to get the majesty of a sport get near and dear to their hearts, and are outraged by anything that might hurt its image in the public.
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