Alex Comes Clean

Your thread for Alex's steroid presser. Comment away. But keep it, ahem, clean. 

Comments

[Nick-YF]

If I had the power to ask A-Rod questions, I would use the ones that are directing the conversation at ESPN's First Take or Cold Pizza or whatever it is.

First one up:

What NBA hairstyle has had the biggest impact on the league?

[Nick-YF]

Why haven't dreadlocks caught on in the NBA?

[Nick-YF]

What should Jay, Skip and Michael do with their hair?

[YF]

apparently he still isn't taking the "let's start on time" performance enhancer. already 15 minutes late and no sign of our fallen hero. second thoughts???

[Nick-YF]

Any chance he's going to be seen on the back of a bus with Dustin Hoffman?

[YF]

here we go. "put your cellphones on vibrate." says pr man jason zillo. also, no follow up questions. Alex on a dais with girardi, in short sleeves and cashman. alex in a navy shirt, sleeves rolled up. in attendance: hank steinbrenner. also, don hooten, of the taylor hooten foundation. so looks like someone's getting a check out of this. and now to alex.

[SF]

We need more Alan Schwarz liveblogs.

http://bats.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/02/17/as-it-happens-watching-a-rod/?hp

[YF]

derek REALLLY looking not happy to be there.

[SF]

No follow-up questions, or no questions at all? One and done from each reporter? Can you clarify? I can't watch.

Actually, don't want to watch either. What's the point?

[SF]

derek REALLLY looking not happy to be there.

Funny, if I had written that this thread would have already spun out of control!

[krueg]

that's right SF!! :)

damn the network at work!!! I can hear it but can't watch it...

I think this is just going to blow over no problem...back to baseball!!! (not)

[Nick-YF]

George King asks the toughest question (I think):

What's your cousin's name?

A-Rod does not give it.

[SF]

Can you be sorry for not being sure if you cheated or not?

[krueg]

Why would he? This isn't a trial...

[Nick-YF]

John Harper asks "Did you think you were using steroids?"

He says no, basically, which is not going to go over well.

[SF]

I am following via numerous liveblogs. I think I have a better grasp of the truth than if I were listening to Alex!

Mix two parts SoSH, one part YFSF, one part Neyer, and one part NY Times. You can't go wrong!

[Nick-YF]

"All these years I didn't think I had done anything wrong"

That's not going to fly in the papers tomorrow.

[krueg]

SF: if many people are taking supplements/PED's/whatever you want to call them, you probably wouldn't think it was cheating. There is no doubt he/baseball players overall know how prevalent this was all over baseball?

[SF]

John Harper asks "Did you think you were using steroids?"

He says no, basically, which is not going to go over well.

"Hey, you with that needle and the random clear liquid, come shoot it in my buttcheeks!".

Yep, that's believable.

[Nick-YF]

Honestly, this press conference is not going to be viewed favorably by the media. The only thing is that he gave a name to the drug. Otherwise, he's basically killing himself like he wants to.

[SF]

I understand that, Krueg. But what is he apologizing for, then? In other words, I don't care about the apology. I am more interested in the truth. I don't think Alex needs to apologize. Honestly, I don't.

[Nick-YF]

Well, I speak too soon. A-Rod use to take Ripfuel, which is now banned.

[walein]

I'm waiting for a writer to hoist up the wooden cross he's built and hand a hammer and nails to ARod and say "Do it. Do it. No, just do it."

[LocklandSF]

"I'm here to take my medicine."

Oh Arod, isn't that what got you in this mess to begin with?

Also, did he just try to blame this on Rip Fuel?

[walein]

A Rod must have paid a good price to his cousin to drop this on him....unless it's all true.

[Nick-YF]

"I knew we weren't taking tic tacs..."

This is going to be the most famous answer from the press conference. Fans are going to throw tic tacs at him this season. Basically, he's caught in a lie and his answer sucks.

[attackgerbil]

> John Harper asks "Did you think you were using steroids?"

Proper answer: "Depends on how one is using the word using."

[walein]

I hope A Rod says that Roy Oswalt is a backwoods hick who needs to take PEDs because if you look at his declining skills...

[krueg]

It doesn't matter what he says Nick...it really doesn't.

SF: i hear ya. this is just a witchhunt. This whole thing. Kinda feels like 21st century McCarthy-ism honestly.

[attackgerbil]

Frick.. I just yesterday sold my stock in tic-tacs, that perennial underperformer of all the sugary hard candies. Damn you, Altoids!

[Nick-YF]

speaking in Spanish. We need Rolfe, Maria and Pierre!

(I reference my own jokes)

[walein]

I've always thought about my friend (1st Language spanish and huge Yankee fan) telling me that ARod's spanish is brutal to listen to.

[SF]

Sounds like YF's post title isn't all that accurate.

[krueg]

Win a world series and all this goes away...

[SF]

blames cousin. says he didn't know what he was taking. not sure they were really even his.

Seriously, what's the difference between Alex's story and the random dude trying to explaing the enormous bag of blow in the armrest from any given episode of "Cops"?

[Nick-YF]

"I never saw any other player do it."

[Nick-YF]

Joel Sherman asks a syllogism question.

If you didn't know what it did, why would you do it 36 times?

[krueg]

Wow...a reporter can do simple math!!!

[walein]

Alex: Is it true that you hate America?

[LocklandSF]

In Yankee Stadium, maybe.

He's going to hear it from every other fan, in every ballpark, every time he comes to bat, for the rest of his playing days.

[Nick-YF]

A-Rod is going all anecdotal right now. I'm not sure what he's talking about. Something about a letterman jacket. Bizarre answer.

[attackgerbil]

"When I was a junior, I could bench press 310lbs.."

What the f*cking f*ck? Really???

[walein]

I got the answer. He's basically saying that he was "stronger" when he wasn't doing the drugs. Long story short: Childhood Poverty is the greatest PED of all (cue old record of Whitney Houston).

[krueg]

I actually feel sorry for ARod. Call me a bleeding heart but this guy has gone through so much shit since he has come to the Yankees. Yes, much of it is self-inflicted, expecially the fact that he took PED's.

I am off the ripping-on-ARod bandwagon.

[attackgerbil]

"Not being honest with myself" meme again.. oof.

[Nick-YF]

Oh this should be fun

"Describe the first time you were injected..."

[krueg]

He already does Lock...what's the difference?

[walein]

This fucking question is ridiculous. Why don't you ask him the first time he touched a woman was?

[LocklandSF]

It's going to be so, so, so much worse.

[walein]

That was a great twist on the old aphorisms. I want Jellyneck to come out and answer the rest of the questions.

[Nick-YF]

shit, the streaming just went haywire, so I'm left to imagine the answer:

"It was a sultry night. I was lying on a towel in my living room. "I am the Fire Starter" blared from the speakers. My cousin asked if I was ready..."

[attackgerbil]

I had my best year when I was 20. And I had my other best year in 2007. And this is my other brother Daryl.

[krueg]

Does anyone else feel it's relevant that PED's were not banned during this timeframe? Wrong, yes.

(i know, illegal yet not banned. dudes with coke issues have gotten off lighter than ARod so far)

[krueg]

It's already been pretty bad Lock...but that's my point. Go out there, crush the ball, shut up the idiots and win a championship!

[Nick-YF]

krueg, are you saying that the amount of media attention paid to PED use is a little out of hand. Well, I disagree! These players are role models for our children.

Meanwhile, a reporter at Padres camp asks Brian Giles a second ago

"So, what part of your game are you looking to improve in 2009?"

[walein]

What's amazing is that he is 2nd only to Canseco in actual public disclosure.
Everyone else just lied. He won't win though.

[attackgerbil]

Question: "What about A?"

Answer: "B, D, F, and C knew E."

Question: "But what about A?"

Answer: "Skittles."

Question: "Okay. How about A?"

Answer: "I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion."

Question: "Cool. A?"

Answer: "Foul pole to foul pole."

Question: "90 degrees. Ever heard of A??"

Answer: "A grape can kill a dog. I hope I answered your question."

[walein]

Meanwhile, Brett Myers was just asked how his shoulder feels and he answered by punching the female reporter in the face. The rest of the press-core just laughed and said that's Brett being Brett. Did you know his dad was a boxer???? OMG LOL

[LocklandSF]

Here is the difference.

Arod gets a solid booing every time he comes to the plate at Fenway, but as soon as he cracks one out, the place goes silent.

Opposing fans, right or wrong, are going to assume he's still on the juice, making everything he does on the field a booable offense.

I assume he's still using something, he has the money to get drugs they can't test for and masking agents to make sure they never can.

[sam-YF]

I really thought that Alex did the best job he could given the situation he put himself in. He seemed reasonably forthcoming compared to the many others who have been implicated and he also seemed not to try to redirect blame too much. Its gonna have to be good enough for now. Id love to see a monster year from him.

[krueg]

ARod 2009 AL MVP...bring it.

[YF]

And the whole thing ends with ZIllo asking the reporters not to "trample each other," which is about the perfect unintended metaphor for the whole situation.

My vote: Basically he seemed pretty honest. And the last part at the end about just wanting to get to baseball after a shitty year, well, i think we can all relate to that, especially with the dow down another 250 points.

PLAY BALL!!!

[I'mBillMcNeal]

So I go to CBS Sportsline to watch a live video feed and as the Web page opens, up pops an ad for Leonardo DiCaprio's new movie, Body of Lies.

BINGO!

[Rob]

Yawn. This feels like Max Headroom. Amazing at the time but twenty years later you can't remember what the fuss was about.

Now I'm waiting for the other 103 names if reporters have the nuts to ask the questions. For instance, Abraham talks big on his blog but is a coward even in a press conference.

Seems like Pudge's name is on that list.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=3911550&name=Neyer_Rob

[krueg]

Nick: I think that was scarcasm? Screw kids. Parents should be their only role models. Overprotective parents are the WORST! I rode a bike for years with no helmet and lived! ;)

Lock: He gets booed EVERYWHERE...not going to matter. The fact that you think he is still on something because he has money? They all have money. Be careful, glass houses and all that. Papi got a lot better when he went to Boston, no? A little bigger too? (for the record, i really don't care who took what)

[Rob]

I assume he's still using something, he has the money to get drugs they can't test for and masking agents to make sure they never can.

Blood and urine tests are saved. What can't be shown today can be always be shown tomorrow. Ask Armstrong.

[attackgerbil]

> Yawn. This feels like Max Headroom.

It's better than being forced to watch The fucking Bachelor, as I had to last night.

[I'mBillMcNeal]

"Win a world series and all this goes away..."

Anyone else, yeah, probably.
A-Rod, no.
Yankee fans love to hate him as much as everyone not a Patriots fan loves to hate the Patriots.
Make that MOST Yankee fans.

[Rob]

By the way, how much longer are we going to wait before even one name of the 103 is made public? How long before one of those names comes forward on their own?

[I'mBillMcNeal]

If I wanted to do a parody of this news conference, I couldn't write one any better than what A-Rod just gave us.

[YF]

me too, gerb. awful.

[LocklandSF]

Why when this topic is raised do so many Yankee fans throw Ortiz out? I will pass the same judgment on Ortiz when he's proven to have used. Not one second before that and neither should anyone else.

Krueg, I don't think you're understanding the difference between how fans have treated him in the past and they will now treat him. It is going to be SO much worse, every at bat, every game, for the rest of his playing days. I don't know if he has the thick skin to take it.

[Nick-YF]

I'm confused. Were YF and gerbil both (on different coasts no less) required to watch the (fucking?) Bachelor last night? What are the chances?

[Rob]

Of course, not one reporter followed up on the Ripped Fuel angle.

OMG He used another PED!1111!11!!!

[attackgerbil]

yf, awful is a good word. so is miserable. cruel. inhumane. it's just the worst thing i've ever had to watch on tv in my life.

[Rob]

It's better than being forced to watch The fucking Bachelor, as I had to last night.

I love my wife even more right now. Watched UCONN-Pitt with me.

[krueg]

Bottom line...many people hate ARod. Always have, always will. It wouldn't matter if he saved a baby from a burning building, they would still hate him.

He made a mistake and apologized for it. Now, as Yankee fans (screw the rest of ya!) it's time to support this guy! We all know he has a soft, nougaty center that needs a little positive energy! Like it or not, he's in pinstripes for the rest of our lives for the most part! (that means you SF...ya codger!)

(all in jest people...because I love you guys)

[J (yf)]

Especially with his final answer, he came off pretty genuine. I'm definitely more willing to put this in the past now than after the Gammons interview.

[attackgerbil]

> do so many Yankee fans throw Ortiz out?

NOOO!!!! Not throwing him out! I _hope_ he used so then we can sign him as is our mode! Gah. Why doesn't anyone get that?

[AndrewYF]

Lockland, you don't think A-Rod will be able to handle booing? REALLY?

Just stop. The only reason you're predicting A-Rod to break down and cry every at bat is because you want him to.

[sam-YF]

". It wouldn't matter if he saved a baby from a burning building, they would still hate him."

If this happened people would ask why he didnt put the fire out too...

[Rob]

It is going to be SO much worse, every at bat, every game, for the rest of his playing days. I don't know if he has the thick skin to take it.

I disagree. I think most fans are smarter than what the mediots tell them to believe. There will be a mix of feelings, but for the first time the guy is human. And if those 103 names come out, as they should, no fan will be spared. We will all have rooted, at one time or another, for a "cheater".

[AndrewYF]

sam, people will wonder why he didn't prevent the fire from happening in the first place.

[attackgerbil]

> If this happened people would ask why he didnt put the fire out too...

But his cousin gave him the gift of fire. Except he called it "HOT, HOT.. DON'T TOUCH. owwie."

[Nick-YF]

I basically agree that A-Rod couldn't have said anything that really would quiet the storm that will follow, but if I don't think he did such a good job today, and this goes beyond some of the legal issues that loomed over some of these answers (the cousin one for instance). Basically, he needed to, at the very least, say he cheated and he didn't. He might not have believed that he cheated, but he needed to say that. He also needed to say that this drug gave him an advantage, and he didn't.

Meanwhile, Brian Giles calmly enjoys a gatorade and a game of catch with his teammates.

[LocklandSF]

I'm just saying it's going to be a LOT worse and I'm curious to see how he reacts to it. That's it.

But yes, I would love it if he broke down and cried every at bat.

[LocklandSF]

Well, we will have to agree to disagree, I'm certain it's going to be MUCH worse, luckily the season starts soon so we will find out.

[attackgerbil]

> And if those 103 names come out, as they should

Maybe they should, maybe not. At this point, I guess it depends on how it gets presented. Do you really care if they actually get released? I don't. And I don't care that there is a sideshow being created for our pleasure/their revenue dollars, except it's a fun diversion. Just like the fact the game is only a diversion.

[SF]

Gossip Girl repeats obviated a viewing of Iron Chef America repeat. Bachelor? Yeesh.

[krueg]

No one hates the Patties anymore Bill...they didn't even win the AFC East. That would be the Miami Dolphins!!! ;)

[Rob]

I'm certain it's going to be MUCH worse, luckily the season starts soon so we will find out.

Can you name one team that you think was clean? I'm not sure I can. Just by the names we already know, a whole bunch are out. You really think you could boo if it comes out that Nomar was guilty?

Any fan that boos at this point because of PEDs is just waiting for the other shoe to drop of their favored team.

[krueg]

Lock: I'm not saying Papi did anything, I'm just saying that ANYONE could be having this press conference today...

I totally get what you guys are saying. He will be booed unmerficully...until he crushes a game winning homer. I don't think the road fans reactions will be nearly as crippling as you guys think. He is used to it. Now if he gets it at home as well, then maybe.

[I'mBillMcNeal]

More laughable than the press conference is the WEEI Big Show's dissection of it.

[Rob]

> Do you really care if they actually get released?

Absolutely. I think every team should have the joy of a day like today. And Bud can keep saying nothing is his fault and that he did all he could.

[LocklandSF]

At what point did I say it was right? I don't think any team is clean, but that doesn't matter.

I'm talking about what's going to happen in the real world.

[krueg]

Nick YF: He said/did more than pretty much every other person accused of taking a prescription without a doctor's note, no? Pettite aside...

[SF]

Can you name one team that you think was clean?

The Washington Generals.

[krueg]

I haven't been around in awhile...didn't even notice the little reply link under the posts. YFSF is really moving up in the world!!!

[Rob]

> Now if he gets it at home as well, then maybe.

No chance in hell. The guy very publicly fell on a sword. People understand that. Scattered boos, yes. But they'll be fleeting. I expect he's won over fans he never had and he hasn't lost any already on his side. Net gain.

[krueg]

Pittsburgh Pirates? Might explain why they have sucked for so long...