In an interview with ESPN's Peter Gammons, ex-Mariner Alex Rodriguez admitted to taking steroids while with the Texas Rangers."I did take a banned substance," Rodriguez said. "For that, I am very sorry and deeply regretful."
Rodriguez said he didn't know which steroid he tested positive for, suggesting he may have taken more than one.
Sources who know about the testing results told SI that Rodriguez tested positive for testosterone and Primobolan, an anabolic steroid. In his ESPN interview, Rodriguez said he did not know exactly which substance or substances he had taken. In 2003, there were no penalties for a positive result.
"To be quite honest, I don't know exactly what substance I was guilty of using," Rodriguez said.
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He blamed himself and his $252 million contract he signed with the Texas Rangers in 2001 for his decision to use performance-enhancing drugs.
"Overall, I felt a tremendous pressure to play and play really well" in Texas, the New York Yankees third baseman said. "I had just signed this enormous contract. I felt like I needed something, a push, without over-investigating what I was taking, to get me to the next level."
Rodriguez added: "I am sorry for my Texas years. I apologize to the fans of Texas."
By apologizing now, just 48 hours after SI broke the story, it appears Rodriguez is trying to salvage his supposed legacy as the greatest player of all time.
Baseball writers will have to ask themselves if what he did nullfies a Hall of Fame vote.
Who will Rodriguez turn to for advice: Madonna, Scott Boras, Derek Jeter? Whatever else turns up from this one thing is for certain, Florida is going to have a lot of photographers and reporters when the Yankees report for Spring Training.
