The LoHud Yankees Blog

Forget to mention this before …

Joe Girardi said the exact right things after the press conference, commenting that he thought Alex’s emotions were genuine and should serve to help him move on. He was clearly thrilled that his players banded together to support Rodriguez.

“Fired up,” Girardi said. “That was great.”

Then we have Brian Cashman, who clearly would like to find a Wayback Machine, go back to 2007 and get rid of his third baseman.

Here is what Cashman said when asked about A-Rod saying he was young and stupid:

“Those are the facts he gave you, it doesn’t mean it’s acceptable. I like the fact more that he was stupid rather than young or naïve. It was a bad decision that may cost him on so many levels.”

Then there was this:

“We’ve invested in him as an asset. And because of that, this is an asset that is going through a crisis. So we’ll do everything we can to protect that asset and support that asset and try to salvage that asset.”

An asset? Brrrrrr.

Hopefully this will be the final entry of the day as I am worn out. Thanks to everybody for reading for commenting on the press conference.

The first full-squad workout will be tomorrow, which means we’re closing in on exhibition games and hopefully a return to normalcy. Or at least normalcy as far as the Yankees are concerned.

Check back for more from Tampa tomorrow.

(This is via the AP)

“First, bear with me. I’m a little nervous, or a lot nervous, so bear with me a little bit.

“Let me start by thanking the Yankees, my teammates, our fans, for your support over the last couple weeks. The fact that you’re sitting with me here today means the world to me. The last couple weeks have been difficult and emotional.

“On the one hand, it’s extremely tough to admit mistakes. But on the other hand, it feels great to be moving forward. I know that I’m in a position where I have to earn my trust back, and over time I am confident that at the end of my career, people will see this for what it is: a stupid mistake and a lesson learned for a guy with a lot of baseball to play.

“Last Monday, I began the first step in the process of earning back trust when I sat down with Peter Gammons. I did so to accomplish two things: to tell the truth and to apologize to my teammates and baseball fans everywhere. Now the next step is to address the media about what I took and where it came from.

“On reflection, here’s what I remember:

“As I discussed with Peter Gammons, in the year 2001, 2002 and 2003, I experimented with a banned substance that eventually triggered a positive test. In September 2004, I had a meeting with Gene Orza. During that meeting, he explained to me that I had been among the players from which people might conclude that I tested positive. That was as specific as Gene could be, because Gene stated to me that there were a number of players on that list who might not have actually tested positive.

“I think it is important to know that the tests that were taken in 2003 were requested and voted by players to determine the extent of the drug problem in Major League Baseball.

“Going back to 2001, my cousin started telling me about a substance that you can purchase over-the-counter in DR know as, in the streets, known as boli or bole. It was his understanding that it would give me a dramatic energy boost and otherwise harmless. My cousin and I, one more ignorant than the other, decided it was a good idea to start taking it. My cousin would administer it to me, but neither of us knew how to use it problem, providing (sic) just how ignorant we both were.

“It was at this point, we decided to take it twice a month for about six months during the 2001, 2002 and 2003 season. We consulted no one and had no good reason to base that decision. It was pretty evident that we didn’t know what we’re doing.

“We did everything we could to keep it between us, and my cousin did not provide any other players with it. I stopped taking it in 2003 and haven’t take it since.

“I stopped taking the substance for several reasons. In 2003, I had a serious neck injury and it scared me half to death. I was scared for my career and truly my career after baseball—my life after baseball. Secondly, after our voluntary test, all the players voted for a major league drug policy. At that time, it became evident to me how serious this all was, and I decided to stop then.

“Since that time, I’ve been tested regularly. I’ve taken urine tests consistent with Major League Baseball and blood tests for the World Baseball Classic. Before I walked here today, I took a test as part of my physical, and I’ll take another blood test next week for the Classic.

“In the days ahead, I know that a lot of people are going to debate my past with various opinions. People are going to talk about my future as though it’s already been determined, however, I realize that these opinions are out of my control. What is within my control is going out and doing the job that I am blessed to do. Spring training represents a new start for me and a chance to win a championship, two opportunities I’m very excited about.

“It isn’t lost on me the good fortune I’ve received from playing baseball. When I entered the pros, I was a young kid—the major leagues. I was 18 years old, right out of high school. I thought I knew everything, and I clearly didn’t. Like everyone else, I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my life. The only way I know how to handle them is to learn from them and move forward. One thing I know is for sure that baseball is a lot bigger than Alex Rodriguez.

“And to my teammates— (38-second pause)

“Thank you.”

Here is some of the A-Rod audio from today. There’s a little wind because we were in an open-air tent. But you can hear what he is saying:

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

As I’m listening to his comments, he keeps coming back to how young and naive he was when he started using PEDs. Yet A-Rod turned 26 in 2001. That was his seventh full season in the major leagues and he had just signed a record $252 million contract.

The naive defense is hard to justify considering he had played 790 big-leagues, been an All-Star four times and played in three playoff series to that point in his life. How naive could he have been? By 26, you’re an adult by any standard. That part of his defense does not add up.

I think he did well in some parts of his presentation today. But the excuses weren’t needed.

————

If you’re consumed by this story, check out the Faceoff Blog on LoHud.com. Columnists Sam Borden and Rick Carpiniello are discussing A-Rod as well.

Here are some shots via the AP. In the photo of the players, that is Felix Lopez sitting on the far left. Hank Steinbrenner was there as well.

As A-Rod spoke, a young man in a suit jacket and white shirt sat over to his left watching intently and occasionally checking text messages.

It was Ben Porritt, a Republican political operative who started a crisis-management firm in California. So, for now at least, Porritt seems to have become A-Rod’s chief advisor.

Scott Boras was not in the house today.

For what it’s worth, A-Rod was wearing a red string Kabbalah bracelet. That is supposed to ward off the Evil Eye. Good luck with that.

Here’s A-Rod and Derek Jeter hugging after the press conference. Jeter does not appear to be carrying a knife.

That pause when Alex got choked up lasted 38 seconds. YES could have sold a commercial. Would it have killed Brian Cashman to pat Alex on the back? The GM is one cold-blooded dude.

Meanwhile Jorge Posada was there when it started and left. Clearly he hates Alex.

(I’m kidding)

I’m not sure what the cameras showed. But pretty much every Yankees on the 40-man roster was there along with the coaches.

Joe Girardi said he thought today’s press conference was “sufficient” for the Yankees to be able to move on from this. At some point, that will have to be the case. The season is coming regardless of what A-Rod said or didn’t say. The same questions can’t keep being asked.

The problem with Alex is you can’t be sure what to believe. Consider this timeline:

— Tells Katie Couric and others that he never did anything.

— Tells Peter Gammons he did something but he wasn’t sure what it was.

— Says today he did some mysterious over-the-counter drug from the Dominican with an unnamed cousin. At one point today A-Rod said the drug gave him energy. Then he said he wasn’t sure what he did. As he closes one hole, he opens another. It’s beyond reason that anybody would be “young and stupid” enough to inject themselves with a drug so many times unless it was helping them in some way.

It could have been handled a lot better and it could have been handled a lot worse. Some will find his emotion genuine; others will think it was phony. There is no right or wrong answer to this.

I asked Don Hooton whether Alex had contributed any money to his foundation. He has not and there are no plans to, he said. “He’s going to help us raise money,” Mr. Hooton said.

I thought it was a positive for the Yankees that so many players showed up. Perhaps this will help bring the team together.

Don Hooton, an anti-steroids crusader, is here waiting. That could mean A-Rod plans to donate money to his cause.

Hooton’s son was a steroids user who committed suicide.

The TV types are ready.