If Astros’ pitcher Roy Oswalt had things his way, any player who admits or is caught using performance-enhancing drugs would have all of his numbers erased from baseball’s record books.
That includes Alex Rodriguez, who on Monday admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs after a Sports Illustrated report revealed he had failed a drug test in 2003.
“A-Rod’s numbers shouldn’t count for anything,” Oswalt said in a phone interview with MLB.com. “I feel like he cheated me out of the game.”
“It does bother me,” Oswalt said. “Especially for the guys that went out there and did it on talent. We’re always going to have a cloud on us, and that’s not fair at all.
“The ones that have come out and admitted it, and are proven guilty, [their numbers] should not count. I’ve been cheated out of the game,” Oswalt continued. “This is my ninth year, and I’ve done nothing to enhance my performance, other than work my butt off to get guys out. These guys [who took PEDs] have all the talent in the world. All-Star talent. And they put times two on it.
“I’m going out there with the ability God gave me. They have that ability, too, and they’re putting something on top of it.”
Oswalt said he considers Henry Aaron to be the all-time home run leader, despite Barry Bonds’ official place at the top of the record books in that category.
I think you speak for all baseball fans, Roy. Viva la Oswalt!
If I’ve said it once this week, I’ve said it a million times – the sad part is that A-Rod didn’t even need the riods. He’s always been better than any player in the league and the fact that he sought the aid of performance-enhancers is what is most disturbing regarding this situation. Instead of going down as one of the best players to ever play the game, he’ll be remembered for cheating. Well done, Alex.
