Behind A-Rod's Stunning About-Face
In an interview today on ESPN, A-Rod dropped an A-Bomb.
He admitted that at least some of his jaw-dropping numbers were colored - tainted - by performance-enhancing drugs. And that he made a big mistake. CBS News chief investigative correspondent Armen Keteyian reports.
"I did take a banned substance," Alex Rodriquez, the Yankees' third baseman, said Monday. "And, you know, for that, I am very sorry."
Rodriquez confessed to using anabolic steroids from 2001 to 2003. Because, he said, he was "feeling an enormous amount of pressure" to live up to record 10-year, $252-million-deal he had signed with the Texas Rangers.
"I was young. I was stupid. I was naive. And I wanted to prove to everyone that, you know, I was worth, you know, being one of the greatest players of all time," Rodriquez said.
Rodriquez told ESPN he wasn't exactly sure what he took.
But whatever it was, it worked.
During his personal Steroid Era, A-Rod averaged 52 home runs and more than 130 runs batted, the best in baseball.
Rodriquez had been silent since "Sports Illustrated" first broke the story on its Web site on Saturday. Citing four separate sources, the magazine reported the current Yankee slugger had tested positive for testosterone and another illegal drug in 2003.
Rodriquez had repeatedly denied using steroids - including lying in a Dec. 16, 2007, interview with CBS News anchor Katie Couric on 60 Minutes.
"For the record, have you ever used steroids, human growth hormone, or any other performance-enhancing substance?" Couric asked.
See Katie Couric's full 2007 interview with Alex Rodriguez from 60 Minutes.
"No," said Rodriguez.
Couric continued to inquire about the subject of drug use, "Have you ever been tempted to?"
Rodriguez simply responded, "No."
And while A-Rod is suddenly talking, neither Yankees nor major league baseball has had a reaction.
At least not yet.