Reggie “Mr. October” Jackson recently told Sports Illustrated that he felt anabolic steroid use disqualified Major League Baseball players from consideration in the Hall of Fame. If a steroid user was elected to the Hall of Fame by the Baseball Writers Association of America, Jackson predicted that their induction would be boycotted by current Hall of Famers. Jackson didn’t feel his friend Alex Rodriguez belonged in the Hall of Fame. Surprisingly, he could see athletes like Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte making the cut.
“Al’s a very good friend,” said Jackson. “But I think there are real questions about his numbers. As much as I like him, what he admitted about his usage does cloud some of his records.”
Alex “A-Rod” Rodriguez was outed as a steroid user by Sports Illustrated writers Selena Roberts and David Epstein in February 2009. Roberts and Epstein reported that Rodriguez tested positive for two different anabolic steroids – testosteorne and Primobolan – during the supposedly “anonymous” and “confidential” steroid testing administered by MLB.
Rodriguez admitted using steroids during a highly publicized press conference shortly thereafter. He apologized for the steroid use. He claimed he only used steroids between 2001 and 2003. A-Rod also agreed to work with the Taylor Hooton Foundation to speak out against the dangers of steroids for young athletes.
However, Rodriguez repentance for steroid use was apparently not enough to elicit Reggie Jackson’s forgiveness.
Yet Jackson seemed willing to overlook the alleged use of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) by other MLB players linked to steroids, human growth hormone (hGH), etc.
Jackson believed Roger Clemens deserves to be in the Hall of Fame in spite of widespread skepticism over his repeated denials of steroid use from fans. Even some current Hall of Famers think Clemens lied about steroids. But Jackson doesn’t think anyone’s opinion on Clemens matters other than his own.
“I don’t understand that. He was ruled not guilty. He beat Congress,” said Jackson. “Our judicial system says he’s not guilty. By that ruling, he should get into the Hall of Fame, regardless of anybody’s opinion.”
However, while the federal government failed to prove that Barry Bonds lied about his own steroid use, Jackson doesn’t consider Bonds the all-time homerun leader. That honor, according to Mr. October, is still reserved for Hank “I Only Used Amphetamines Once” Aaron.
Jackson thinks other athletes, such as Andy Pettitte, who have admitted using PEDs will be admitted to the Hall of Fame simply because they are so well-liked and respected.
The disparaging comments made by Jackson, who is employed by the New York Yankees, about current Yankee Alex Rodriguez created controversy. Jackson reportedly called Rodriguez to apologize several hours after his comments were made public.
Source:
Feinsand, M. (July 5, 2012). Yankees great Reggie Jackson says there is a cloud over Alex Rodriguez’s records because of A-Rod’s steroid admission. Retrieved from http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/yankees-great-reggie-jackson-a-cloud-alex-rodriguez-records-a-rod-steroid-admission-article-1.1108487
