Johnny Damon Says Alex Rodriguez's PED Use Diminishes World Series Win in 2009
Former New York Yankees outfielder Johnny Damon spoke out against Alex Rodriguez and said the championship they won together in 2009 may be worth a little less not because of the third baseman's alleged PED use.
A-Rod has always struggled in the post season, but in 2009, the year he admitted he used steroids while part of the Texas Rangers from 2001-2003, he absolutely dominated. He carried the team through the playoffs and won his first title.
Damon was asked if having Rodriguez as a teammate who was probably using PED's diminished their World Series win by MLB Network Radio.
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"I really haven't sat down and thought that far, but if that's how he was able to hit in the postseason, then yeah, absolutely. Then you start going and saying, 'Was anyone (else) on their team cheating?'" he said to the station.
"There's just so many different factors that determine if a team wins, and A-Rod was a huge determining factor. He was the MVP of the ALCS. He played a pretty huge part. Unfortunately, through the years, guys winning awards have been linked to something."
Damon previously won the World Series in 2004 as a member of the Boston Red Sox. Manny Ramirez has spent his last few years out of baseball because of suspensions for being caught using PED's. He was suspended for 150 games. Another player on the team linked to PED is David Ortiz, also a vital part of that team.
Rodriguez somehow found his way back to the MLB as he awaits for an appeal of his 211 game suspension for alleged PED use by commissioner Bud Selig and the fans are none too happy about it.
In a game against the Chicago White Sox, A-Rod was plunked on the elbow by Chicago's Chris Sale in the third inning and received his first cheers of the night after getting viciously booed prior to that.
Rodriguez is currently appealing his 211-game suspension that would have seen him miss the rest of this season and likely all of the next. The appeal will likely by him enough time to finish this season.
All indications site that there is an astounding amount of evidence against A-Rod, and he is simply avoiding the inevitable.
