A-Rod and his classier counterpart

bk400 · #1 09-13-2023, 08:56 PM

Was reading in one of the New York tabloids today that A-Rod was not only a steroids cheat, but also a government snitch who ratted out fellow players in the steroids case. Goodness.

Here's a list of some "villains" in various sports -- and their classier alter egos. Other nominations?

1) A-Rod....David Ortiz
2) Pete Rose....Ichiro
3) Barry Bonds...Hank Aaron
4) John McEnroe...Bjorn Borg
5) Novak...Rafa
6) Aaron Rodgers...Eli Manning
7) Ndamukong Suh...Aaron Donald
8) Bill Romanowski...Mike Singletary
9) Chad Ochocinco...Larry Fitzgerald
10) James Harden...Joe Dumars
11) Serena...Venus

G1911 · #2 09-13-2023, 09:05 PM

Ortiz was also a steroid cheat.

pokerplyr80 · #3 09-13-2023, 09:10 PM

Do people really consider Serena a villain? This is the first I've heard of it.

Seven · #4 09-13-2023, 09:18 PM

I think it's rich people are raking Alex Rodriguez over the coals. He was being pressured by the DEA, he had a sit down with federal agents. I'm sure this was a case of give them the names, or face serious penalties, potentially jail time. I obviously cannot speak for everyone, but it's easy to approach this situation, through a keyboard with the mentality of "don't snitch" when you're not the one facing a prison sentence.

He's not a classy individual, I think this has been established. I care little for what he did off the baseball field, while he was on it, he was a fantastic player, and put up numbers. Were they influenced by Steroids? Yes, but I've stated my position pretty clearly on that. If I was an owner, I would've happily had him on my team, he put butts in seats, and help the team win ballgames.

Casey2296 · #5 09-13-2023, 09:24 PM

Recently watched the Carl Erskine biography, an amazing story of personal character, which is sorely lacking in many people today.

bk400 · #6 09-13-2023, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seven

I think it's rich people are raking Alex Rodriguez over the coals. He was being pressured by the DEA, he had a sit down with federal agents. I'm sure this was a case of give them the names, or face serious penalties, potentially jail time. I obviously cannot speak for everyone, but it's easy to approach this situation, through a keyboard with the mentality of "don't snitch" when you're not the one facing a prison sentence.

He's not a classy individual, I think this has been established. I care little for what he did off the baseball field, while he was on it, he was a fantastic player, and put up numbers. Were they influenced by Steroids? Yes, but I've stated my position pretty clearly on that. If I was an owner, I would've happily had him on my team, he put butts in seats, and help the team win ballgames.

Fair points, Seven. This said, I would be very surprised if jail time was something that A-Rod feared. First, he was a user / purchaser of the steroids and not a dealer (as far as we know). Second, and perhaps more importantly, he probably has a mid- 9-figure net worth and can afford the legal representation that that suggests. He would have been well advised. I can't recall the last time I've read about a guy with anywhere near that level of resources getting put in jail for a violent crime, much less a non-violent drug offense. I suspect that he was concerned about his legacy and ratted out everyone else to try to make the case that he wasn't the only guy juicing up.

Presumably, there were a lot of players using / purchasing steroids during that time. And I am guessing that the feds were able to talk to most of them. But, as far as the reports are to be believed, it was the richest guy amongst all of them that spilled the beans.

Peter_Spaeth · #7 09-13-2023, 10:29 PM

So you think the honorable thing to do would have been to protect the other cheaters?

Peter_Spaeth · #8 09-13-2023, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pokerplyr80

Do people really consider Serena a villain? This is the first I've heard of it.

She was outspoken and became too egotistical in her behavior, and that put people off. But villianess, no.

bk400 · #9 09-13-2023, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pokerplyr80

Do people really consider Serena a villain? This is the first I've heard of it.

She might not be a villain per se, but I don't think she's a particularly classy player or person (see, e.g., her tirade against that lineswoman at the US Open). I much preferred watching her sister, even though she didn't win nearly as much.