Alex Rodriguez Press Conference: Revelations, Questions in Spanish

The New York Yankees assembled a legion of hungry media members Tuesday at their spring training facility for Alex Rodriguez's press conference. This press conference was, of course, designed to let people ask him questions about his admitted steroid use while with the Texas Rangers, in addition to his interview with Peter Gammons and his wild accusations directed towards Selena Roberts.

After the jump, a recap of the event.

1:38 -- Two hundred media members are present. That's absolutely insane. God, I love our country.

1:46 -- Still no A-Rod. But in good news, Bob Holtzman is setting the scene down in Tampa: "We are still waiting." He also pointed out that Andy Pettitte's presser lasted 55 minutes. If Rodriguez talks for more than an hour, I say we just all agree to forget he ever took steroids. Deal? Awesome. Let's move on.

1:48 -- And we're about to go live! (Question: Would he have gotten here quicker if he was on HGH? And is that too soon? Or just not funny enough?)

1:49 -- On the stage, Joe Girardi, Brian Cashman, A-Rod and what appears to be a moderator. That looks like an awesome job.

1:51 -- There are some early baseline rules, according to the moderator: 1) Please turn off your cell phones. 2) No follow-up questions.
3) Please no questions relating to "steroids." Thank you. Also, following the formal Q&A, there will be punch and cookies in the lobby.

1:53 -- A-Rod arrives and will start with a written statement. A-Rod is "a little nervous." Also, "a lot nervous."

1:54 -- A-Rod sat down with Gammons to "tell the truth" and "apologize" to everyone. Um ... OK. Here's what he remembers: he "experimented with a banned substance that triggered a positive test."

1:55 -- "Boli" was supposed to give him a "dramatic energy boost" and he and his cousin, "one more ignorant than the other" decided to take them. His cousin administered it to him, but they did not know how to use it properly. During the 2001, 2002 and 2003 seasons, A-Rod claims they took it about twice a month for six months. (Yes, I'm aware, that doesn't make any sense whatsoever).

1:57 -- No other players were provided with the drug, A-Rod stopped taking it in 2003 and has not taken it since. He credits a neck injury with stopping. Oh, and also, he found out that he failed a drug test, which kind of made him realize he might be in trouble.

1:58 -- Interestingly, he took a test before the press conference today. And he says he will take a "blood test" (!!) before the WBC.


1:59 -- I should probably note that A-Rod looks a lot less nervous than he said he would. He's getting philosophical: "Baseball is a lot bigger than Alex Rodriguez." It's OK. IT'S NOT YOUR FAULT. Wait, yes it is. You took the steroids.

2:00 -- A-Rod begins to address his teammates, who are sitting to the side of this circus, but can't get the words out. He's welling up and all you can hear is cameras flashing, so much so that the moderator has to interrupt the press conference to get the photographers in line.

2:00 -- You'll never believe this, but ESPN got the first question! (It's a good one though, of course: Would A-Rod have come out on his "own volition" if he hadn't gotten busted? Answer: He's not sure.)

2:01 -- "Why did you stop?" He already covered that, reporter-man.

2:02 -- Okay, folks, A-Rod says steroids are "half-physical and half-mental." Dear Lord.

2:03 -- He took the steroids VIA INJECTION. That's surprising. But noted.

2:04 -- A-Rod is "not exactly aware" of Jamie Moyer's comments. I find that hard to believe. "I'm sorry Jamie feels that way. And he's definitely entitled to his opinion ... I understand [the baseball world's] doubt ... I'm going to focus on what I can [control] and move forward."

2:05 -- "What's your cousin's name? And who transported the substance from the Dominican to the United States?" Excellent question. Too bad A-Rod "doesn't think it's relevant at this point."

2:06 -- To paraphrase the next question: "Won't someone think of the children?" Rodriguez brings up God and then mentions Don Hooten, who's in attendance. Hooten's son passed away due to steroid abuse. And while now's "not the time" to talk about A-Rod's plan for redemption, he would like to let you know that he's joining with Hooten to help kids. Kind of cool, and well-planned. This is an all-out media assault by Scott Boras.

2:07 -- This was "amateur hour," re: he and his cousin taking steroids. A-Rod is unsure if he even did steroids "right."

2:08 -- Someone questions A-Rod's decision to inject an unknown substance into his body, given his fascination with health. A-Rod is just "unsure," naturally.

2:09 -- Here's something of substance. A-Rod has $30 million in incentives with the Yankees in his contract tied into setting the home run record. Now that could be a spicy legal battle. Does he think he deserves the money if/when he sets the record, given all this cheating stuff? He's just here to "get by today" and not think about the future. Seems kind of fair ... he does mention there will be "lots of debates." You are correct, sir.

2:10 -- Hannah Storm in the house! She's asking if he used HGH and amphetamines ... and oh my, he pauses suggestively after denying HGH use before noting that "Ripped Fuel," which he used to "dabble with ... some" has since been banned from baseball and removed from GNC.

2:11 -- He thanks and loves his teammates and looks forward to an amazing season. "It will be the best season of our lives." You obviously haven't been on a championship team, sir. /Jeter'd

2:12 -- "I knew we weren't taking Tic Tacs," is A-Rod's response as to why he didn't seek help with his steroid use, indicating he knew what he was doing was wrong, even if he won't say it outright. I mean, I probably wouldn't tell anyone either. But that's because I watch a lot of 24 and don't trust anyone.

2:15 -- A-Rod confirms that he spoke with Selena Roberts and she did, in fact, receive some sort of "police report" instead of a "citation." Either way, he claims that they've put that whole mess behind them.

2:15 -- Someone just asked a question in Spanish and said "it needs no translating." And now A-Rod is answering in Spanish. I feel a little left out right now, honestly. (I'm sorry, Senora Boyarizo. You were right about paying more attention in class.)

2:18 -- A-Rod looks simply thrilled to see Joel Sherman of the New York Post asking questions, especially about specific timeline incidents with his steroid usage. Sherman is now kind of attacking him with a slew of ... gasp! ... follow up questions.

2:21 -- Over the past "nine days" A-Rod says he's sat down with his cousin and tried to sort out the facts in terms of what happened when things were all loosey and goosey and whatnot.

2:22 -- And here's the (much needed) Katie Couric interview question: "Progressively, the stories have been different." A-Rod is asked how we can trust what he's saying, given that he's lied in the past (namely to Couric). "When you're in denial ... it's hard to be honest with Katie."

2:24 -- "Is it appropriate to explore wiping those numbers [2001, 2002, 2003] and accomplishments" from the record book? A-Rod says it's not his place to decide. And that he "made my bed and I have to sit on it." Someone get Boras a better book of clichés, please.

2:25 -- And we're done. Already? Really? That's the shortest four hours of my life. Wait ... that was only 30 minutes? The media have been instructed to "not trample each other." That's a serious request folks. And we ask the same of you, dear readers. And remember, trust NO ONE. Except FanHouse. We love. Goodnight, America.