A-Rod and his classier counterpart

[pokerplyr80]

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

[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.

[Casey2296]

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

[bk400]

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]

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

[bk400]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

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

I think the honorable thing would have been to limit his responses to his own actions or omissions. I don't see how it helps him to cast aspersions about others unless, of course, it is to burnish his own reputation by comparison.

[ClementeFanOh]

Here's one bk-

Ronaldo /Messi

Trent King

[SyrNy1960]

From someone who has been a fan and collector of Arod since 1995: Arod had the potential to be a great player without PEDs. Arod is a narcissistic, self-centered douche-bag, who only cares about himself.

[bk400]

Originally Posted by ClementeFanOh

Here's one bk-

Ronaldo /Messi

Trent King

That's an excellent one. I'm kicking myself for not coming up with that one myself!

I'm trying to decide what Ronaldo's most distasteful move was, and it's hard. The Saudi thing; the celebration where he shows off his abs; the celebration where he hikes up his shorts and flexes his quads; his attitude with Man United. But I think his actions while wearing his country's jersey in the World Cup probably rises to the top of a pretty high pile. It's a shame, because he was so awesome to watch in his prime.

[Peter_Spaeth]

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]

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.