Alex Rodriguez was “heartbroken” when he heard the news of Fernando Tatis Jr.’s 80-game suspension on Friday, due to a positive test result from a performance-enhancing substance.
“I wasn’t angry. I was heartbroken because to make a mistake at 22 or 23 years old that’s going to affect you for maybe 60 years,” Rodriguez told Michael Kay during their alternate ESPN broadcast of Sunday’s Yankees-Red Sox game. “I made that mistake. I was more in my late 30s, and it was out of desperation to get back on the field and play.”
As you’re well aware, Rodriguez was referring to his own 162-game suspension in 2014. The Yankees legend never failed a PED test, but he did admit to using PEDs during his time with the Rangers.
He was originally suspended 211 games, though he got it reduced to 162 games through appeal. It was the longest suspension in MLB history at the time.
“I was hoping a lot of these young kids learn from my debacle and my mistakes,” Rodriguez said. “I have gone to the lowest ground, I have gone to ground zero.”
Rodriguez added that he wouldn’t reach out to the Padres All-Star shortstop, though he is “always available to help.”
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Tatis, who has finished in the top four in the NL MVP voting twice, is in the second year of his 14-year, $340 million contract extension.
