Miami Hurricanes Name Field After A-Rod

Needless to say, not a lot has gone right for Alex Rodriguez this week. After a Sports Illustrated article cornered him into admitting he used steroids, he's taken his turn as the media's favorite whipping boy, drawing scorn from his commissioner, former team owner and fellow players alike.

But while most people seem to be distancing themselves from the disgraced the star, the University of Miami actually dedicated their baseball field in his honor on Friday night, naming it "Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field." Rodriguez, who funded the recent renovations at the facility with a $3.9 million donation made six years ago, received a standing ovation before speaking at the ceremony.

Given the circumstances, it would have been perfectly understandable for the university to postpone the dedication ceremony, but to their credit they stayed on schedule. And while Rodriguez may not seem like much of an example for amateur athletes at the moment, he urged the school's baseball players to learn from his mistakes.

"I have been so fortunate to have received so much from a game I love so much," Rodriguez said. "That doesn't mean I haven't made mistakes, and unless you've been in a cave under the ocean this last week, you know that I've made some. What it does mean is that I understand only in America can you dream big, work hard, and be rewarded beyond your wildest dreams."

[...] "There will be adversity along the way," Rodriguez said. "But regardless of the challenges that lie ahead, move forward, address your errors and right your path."

Drafted out of high school, Rodriguez never actually attended the University of Miami, but as a kid growing up he would sneak into the park to watch games. Ever since turning pro, he returns to the area in the offseason and frequently works out on campus.

It's easy to look at this and assume that it's merely a disgraced celebrity trying to drum up some positive PR., but Friday's ceremony was six years in the making, long before he had a clue anyone would find out about his secret. The man has made some mistakes, but he's also done some very good things along the way, as well.

Baseball and Steroids

Barry Bonds, baseball's home run king, faces charges of lying to a jury after testifying he did not use steroids, despite reports that he did fail drug tests. Click through for more players who have been accused of taking performance enhancing-drugs or tested positive.

Paul Sakuma, AP

Astros shortstop Miguel Tejada is charged with lying to Congress over testimony he gave regarding steroids, a charge he is expected to plead guilty to.

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After a report surfaced that Alex Rodriguez failed a 2003 drug test, the star admitted he used steroids as a member of the Texas Rangers from 2001 to 2003.

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Roger Clemens is under fire for insisting in a hearing that he did not use performance-enhancing drugs, despite what his former personal trainer has claimed.

Pablo Martinez Monsivais, AP

Jose Canseco admitted he used steroids in his book "Juiced," and also named several of his former teammates as performance-enhancing drug users.

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Giants minor league catcher Eliezer Alfonzo was suspended last June for 50 games after he failed a drug test.

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Braves top prospect Jordan Schafer was suspended 50 games last season by the commissioner's office for violating the minor league drug program. Schafer was reportedly caught in possession of human growth hormone.

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In 2007, outfielder Jose Guillen received a 15-day suspension following media reports linking him to performance-enhancing drugs. Guillen's suspension was eliminated as part of baseball's new agreement on drug testing.

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Outfielder Jay Gibbons was suspended in 2007 after being linked to HGH use. Following the suspension, Gibbons admitted receiving human growth hormone in 2005 and apologized, but was released by the Orioles before they opened the regular season. Gibbons signed a minor-league deal with the Marlins last month.

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In December 2007, Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts issued an apology and admitted to using steroids on a single occasion in 2003 shortly after he was named in the Mitchell Report.

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