A-Rod can regain fans' trust,hall consideration over time

Alex Rodriguez stood up and acknowledged something Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Rafael Palmeiro and Roger Clemens could not.

He noted his use of "performance enhancing drugs" between 2001 and 2003. In doing so, he retained a sliver of hope to win back fans and ultimately make his way into the Hall of Fame.

It's hard to praise Rodriguez for his forwardness in the matter. He was caught red-handed and simply conceded as much. But that's more than other marquee athletes have done. Clemens is clearly guilty. Every fact, every piece of evidence, every scenario, every picture you paint all point to his use of PED's. And still he denies and spends huge sums of money to save face.

At least Rodriguez acknowledged the truth. Furthermore, he presented a clear timetable of his drug use for fans and Hall of Fame voters to take into account. At this point he can't lie. Every word he utters is under such a high resolution microscope, that he must tell the truth. If he doesn't some reporter will catch it.

Following that logic, I believe A-Rod's timetable for his drug use is accurate. Throw those numbers out because they are irrelevant. They don't matter because he cheated.

The most logical way to ease fans' tension of this issue would be to strip Rodriguez' numbers and accolades from those years. He addressed this issue at the press conference by saying it was not up to him to decide whether those numbers should stay on the books. He needs to rethink that stance and publicly say that those numbers need to be gone. Rodriguez needs to say adios to the 485 games, 156 home runs, 395 RBI's and one MVP award with the stench of juice from those three seasons.

It's his only chance.

If Rodriguez does this, he still has a great shot at the Hall of Fame and acceptance into Yankees fans hearts. If he does not, he is just another athlete who gave into the pressures of steroids and set a disgusting example for children.

Rodriguez will have another 7 to 10 years to right the ship. He can still produce strong numbers, win an MVP or two and, perhaps, take the Yankees to their first world championship since 1996.

But for serious Hall consideration and to regain fans he has to sacrifice those tainted years. If he does not, what message has he really sent to children?

A message that steroids are ok and should still count towards career numbers, and that, Alex, is not ok.

~peter rossi