Alex Rodriguez has a reputation for being an egotistical cheat, but we saw a much different side of the former New York Yankees slugger in a reflective interview this week.
While speaking with Joe Buck on the Audience Network show “Undeniable,” Rodriguez expressed regret over his decision to use performance-enhancing drugs. He also acknowledged that his ties to PEDs could cost him a spot in the Hall of Fame.
“Yeah, I mean there’s so many frustrating things when you look back at that,” A-Rod said, according to ESPN.com. “Number one, you have a guaranteed contract for hundreds of millions of dollars. Literally, you can sit on the couch and get fat. Right, how stupid can you be? … This thing cost me over $40 million. And it cost me my reputation, and it may have cost me the Hall of Fame and a number of other things.”
Rodriguez was suspended for the entire 2014 season after it was determined that he used steroids and hindered an investigation into the infamous Biogenesis anti-aging clinic in South Florida. He said there were countless nights when he would wake up crying wondering how he could make such a stupid decision.
“And I remember sitting there at night at maybe 4 or 5 o’clock in the morning — I probably did this a hundred nights — and I would look up with tears and say, ‘How the F did I get myself in this position?'” Rodriguez said. “I’m the only jackass that has pocket aces and figures out a way to lose the hand.”
A-Rod said the hardest part of the entire ordeal was admitting to his daughters that he had made a mistake. Rodriguez is currently working as an analyst for FOX Sports, and there have been rumors that he has interest in pursuing another baseball-related career.
The interview will air in full on Oct. 18. If you’re not careful, you may actually find yourself feeling sorry for the man who cheated his way to 696 home runs and one of the most remarkable careers in MLB history.
