Where to even start? Which part to emphasize?

    Alex Rodriquez, the highest paid player in baseball at $27.5 million a year for 10 years (not including bonuses), is cited for using performance-enhancing drugs. And although he had previously denied using them, yesterday he changed his story.

    Unlike Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Mark McGwire, and Rafael Palmeiro, A-Rod chose to admit that he had used banned substances (tho he claims ignorance of what he specifically used). He said he ‘used’ because he “had all the weight of the world on top of me, and I needed to perform, and perform at a high level every day.” At that time, Dec. 2000, A-Rod had signed a contract with the Rangers for $252 million dollars.  In admitting his usage, he said baseball “was different back then,” he was “stupid and naive,” and now he’s “very sorry and deeply regretful.”

    Because he was caught? Because he jeopardized his name and accomplishments (which are quite significant without the use of steroids)? Because he must now face being called A*Rod and hearing the fans taunt him? Probably for all these reasons. But give him credit that he did take ownership and didn’t take the course that Bonds, Clemens, etc. took.

    Obama calls A-Rod’s admission “depressing news” that tarnishes baseball further. Obama, struggling with his own problems as nominees and members of his administration are caught cheating on their taxes, told the nation last night, “There are no shortcuts; that when you try to take short cuts, you may end up tarnishing your entire career, and that your integrity’s not worth it.”

    Let’s stick with baseball.  A debate has broken out between two Washington Post sports columnists, Thomas Boswell and Mike Wise.  Boswell, one of the truly wonderful living sports’ writers, says (in “The Search for Truth”),” can we please call off the rest of the hunt?”  Enough, he argues. The message has been sent: “Just don’t cheat.”  Wise (“One Name Is Not Enough”) says Boswell is wrong. No more secrecy. Get the other 103 names out there. Wise wants the names so that “we can clear the names of those who deserve to have everyone know they didn’t fall prey to cheating’s addictive allure, to the syringes, the pills and the millions they promised.”

    Which of the writer’s is right? I love Bowsell and always feel I learn something from his columns.  But Wise makes a pretty strong argument for his views (tho who would believe there are only another 103 users left unnamed?).

    What I do mostly agree with is Bowell’s take from this whole continuing saga:  1. Don’t cheat. 2. If you do cheat and get caught, don’t lie. 3. If you do cheat and you do lie, then at some point tell the truth. You may get lucky. “Confession may or may not be good for the soul. But it is definitely good career strategy.”

    I don’t think former Sen. Tom Daschle would agree. After all, he admitted his errors, paid the taxes, and still didn’t get the job as Secretary of HHS. But, maybe he’ll return to making his $5 million a year. And while that’s not as much as A-Rod’s $27.5 million, Daschle won’t have to hear the fans’ jeering every day. A-Rod gets to keep playing baseball. Daschle, however, will not be able to play a role in the changing of this country’s health care system.

    Does that mean baseball and politics are not alike?  What do you think?

Update 1: On TWitter 2/10/09: THE_REAL_SHAQ Ok i admit it i at(e) performance enhancing frosted flakes 2 yrs ago, lol

Update 2:  Reader FDRHist  writes:  “... the accountant who tried to tell the SEC about Madoff had a phrase that went something like this: If you took the whole staff of the SEC up to Boston and then to Fenway Park and showed them the field, they still could not tell you where first base was...”