Alex Rodriguez came clean this week, but there's still some dirty business going on. It's a little tough for me to swallow A-Rod saying, "To be quite honest I don't know exactly what substance I was guilty of using..." The same way he was lying when 15 months ago he told CBS's Katie Couric that he never used performance-enhancing drugs.
Alex is the highest paid player in baseball. His body is his business. At his level, I'm sure everything he does is microscopically analyzed. His swing, his workouts, his diet -- to mold him into most perfect baseball machine ever. As a steroid abuser for 20 years, I can assure you he knew exactly what he was taking. Each and every time I took a steroid, I always knew EXACTLY what I was taking. In reality I became my very own science project. Here's what I know:
Primobolan, one of the drugs A-Rod tested positive for, has fat burning or cutting qualities, and has a reputation for being a non-aromatizing steroid. Meaning a lot of the side-effects associated with estrogen producing steroids, like man-boobs, water retention and acne, are lessened.
Primobolan is also often used as a base compound for combining with other steroids, what is referred to in the drug community as "stacking." Stacking was always a great way to get the most benefits out of different drugs while trying to minimize their side-effects.
In my steroid days, I tried the same testosterone-Primobolan stack that A-Rod tested positive for a handful of times. The results were a lean look with positive strength gains, along with a touch of aggression that helped shuttle me through Gladiator events, without the bloating or the huge size gains that would make me look like a "muscle head."
What does this all add up to?
That A-Rod, the perfect baseball machine, knew exactly what he was taking. He took a steroid cocktail that one couldn't stumble upon accidentally at GNC, but rather one that was taken with the keen eyes of an expert who was trying to maximize the benefits while mitigating the side effects.
Having been in the same situation as A-Rod, but of course in a much smaller spotlight, I know it's tough to admit to having used steroids, and I applaud him for this. And I do appreciate that he's done what is expected of him and seemed humble and emotional as he apologized and asked for forgiveness. But if he's really sorry, and wants rehabilitate his image, then I suggest he speak to the next generation of young athletes and tells them about the harmful side effects of steroids. The trickle down effect his steroid use has had upon the A-Rod hopefuls is immeasurable. These A-Rod hopefuls won't have the cadre of trainers, nutritionist and physicians at their side monitoring their use of drugs. These young athletes won't take the time to build the requisite strength and skills necessary to make it to the pros, but instead will try to inject themselves to stardom. The worst part of this is that they'll probably be using the most toxic crap they've gotten from Mexico or on the black market -- and their story isn't going to end happily. Look at Taylor Hooten. Look at Lyle Alzado. Look at Chris Benoit. Enough said.
Dan Clark is the author of the new book "Gladiator - A True Story of Roids, Rage and Redemption."
Loading comments… 
Even in my favorite sport, MMA (mixed martial arts) I believe the fighters are taking illegal substances
Randy Coultre (44 yrs old) manages to compete at the top level despite his age, and the demands of this sport. His body looks like that of a 20 year old, so can't believe he's not on HGH or something.
HGH cannot even be detected, so I would gather it's widely used amongst the majority of pro athletes.
If you could take a "pill" that would allow you to make millions of dollars with the only downside being that it MAY be harmful to your health, would you?
of nutritiona
As much as people like to hype on the fact the Chris Benoit was on steroids and that they caused him to kill his family and himself, the man suffered from depression
I’d be interested to know in what way did steroids almost cause your death. I’m sorry that you may have been badly afflicted by their use. However, it seems that you abused them. Anything abused in such a way can be a health risk. Look at water. Ordinarily
Phelps suspended from what is an amateur career and loss of endorsemen
A-Rod half apologized as it's the denial of what he was using.
Double standard. Both substances are illegal as A-Rod's obtaining same was not for medical reasons. I can't believe we aren't hearing the outrage from the public that Phelps got. My faith in the public -- gone. Double standard. In fact -- I want the names of every last one of the players that had a positive released publicly as MLB has not stepped up. What they say is pure lip service. We know by seeing players who they are, but they have to be publicly humuliated
I today cancelled my personal season tickets (6) and was instructed and carried out the cancelling of the cororate box. Contract -- bite me. Personally
After this book, I am convinced that every pro athlete is using some illegal substance.
I wouldn't think it's too difficult a decision for a AAA ballplayer with decent skills to decide to take a drug to make him bigger and stronger, thus, allowing him to hit more homerun and making it to the major leagues.
Also, steriods are not only used just to get bigger/str
Selig bought the Seattle Pilots, a club known to abuse greenies, and Selig did ZERO to address those problems. And it has only gotten worse from there.
If you guys think money is worth jeopardizi
First Kudos Mr. Dan Clark for speaking out! I couldnt agreee with you more. As a mother of 3 boys, albeit young right now, I will be watching them closely as they approach the years of competitiv
Second... Mr. Abraham if you were familar with Mr. Clark's history and his book you would see that it is very appropriat
So educating your kids about the dangers of steroids is definitely a good thing to do.