Yankees’ News: Mark Teixiera Speaks Out On PED’s

Anthony McCarron of the New York Daily News recently wrote about an interview with the New York Yankees‘ Mark Teixeira regarding performance enhancing drugs. It is no secret that the past decade had been riddled with asterisks and tainted records because of players chasing an illegal advantage.

It becomes even more unfair when you consider that the players who test positive are still getting the biggest contracts. It is a mixed-message being sent to the youth and potential baseball prospects; they are being told it is wrong to cheat but you will be rewarded if you do.

The Steroid Era and The Long Ball Era are now used to define the recent struggle and battle against PED’s. The rigorous testing implemented and persistence of former commissioner Bud Selig has provided drastic dividends. Even though the offense has went down and we are seeing less home runs a season, the game has returned to its roots of clean, fundamental baseball. It will be a large burden for new commissioner Rob Manfred to take on but if anyone can continue Selig’s legacy, it will be Manfred.

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Teixeira responded to PED questions on Thursday, “You’re always going to have cheaters. You’re always going to have guys who are trying to beat the system no matter what it is — taxes, breaking the speed limit, whatever. So for us to think no one is going to try to bend the rules is a little naïve.”

He has declared himself “outspoken” and has went on the record as to “not like it”. His strong opposition is a breath of fresh air and, while he isn’t his old self, provides a good role model for the sport. We have witnessed former poster boy Ryan Braun of the Milwaukee Brewers fall from grace with PED’s recently. He failed one of the implemented random tests and was quick to point a finger at everyone. He appealed and won his case because of improper handling of the sample. However, it soon came out that Braun failed another test and was indeed using PED’s.

Tex went on to say:

"“But if you’re willing to take that chance, then that’s something you have to look in the mirror (about). I’m not going to say anything that’s going to change anyone’s mind. It is what it is. We all had kids in school who cheated on their tests and we all worked hard and maybe got a B and they got an A. That’s life.”"

A lot of the responses to PED’s are very strongly worded and, as fans, we have to wonder if that put any strain on the relationship between him and teammate Alex Rodriguez. Everyone knows that Rodriguez has become the modern day Pete Rose because of his lies and continuous use of PED’s.

“Alex is not a bad person. I’ll be the first one to tell you that. I’ve known Alex for a long time, but Alex has made bad decisions, and he’s owned up to them,” Tex said in rebuttal to a question about his comments. “Hopefully now we can kind of get past it. That’s something that, if he was still denying it and still coming in here and put on a different face. He told everyone he was sorry for what he did.”

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