February 7, 2009

Alex Rodriguez exposed as a steroid user

Tested positive for steroids in 2003

Superstar baseball player Alex Rodriguez tested positive for two anabolic steroids in 2003, four sources have independently told Sports Illustrated.

The Begich amendment authorizes the $39.8 million for full implementation of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act that became law in December 2006.

Rodriguez did not deny the allegation when approached by a SI reporter Friday.

From SI.com

Rodriguez's name appears on a list of 104 players who tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs in Major League Baseball's '03 survey testing, SI's sources say. As part of a joint agreement with the MLB Players Association, the testing was conducted to determine if it was necessary to impose mandatory random drug testing across the major leagues in 2004.

When approached by an SI reporter on Thursday at a gym in Miami, Rodriguez declined to discuss his 2003 test results. "You'll have to talk to the union," said Rodriguez, the Yankees' third baseman since his trade to New York in February 2004. When asked if there was an explanation for his positive test, he said, "I'm not saying anything."

Rodriguez finished the 2003 season by winning his third straight league home run title (with 47) and the first of his three MVP awards.

Because more than 5% of big leaguers had tested positive in 2003, baseball instituted a mandatory random-testing program, with penalties, in '04.