Alex Rodriguez reportedly admits use of PEDs
The Miami Herald reported today that New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez told federal investigators that he has used performance enhancing drugs. The highest paid player in baseball had denied using them while playing with New York even as he served a season-long suspension for doping.
One year ago, Alex Rodriguez was asked about Major League Baseball's charges he used performance enhancing drugs. His denial was clear and unflinching.
"Did you do anything wrong," asked New York sports station WFAN's Mike Francesa.
"No," replied Rodriguez.
"Did you do any PEDs?"
"No."
"Did you obstruct justice? Anybody? Any witnesses? Did you do anything that they accused you of doing?"
"No."
But according to a report in the Miami Herald, two months later, Rodriguez met with federal agents and prosecutors who granted him immunity and he admitted that yes he had bought PEDs from Anthony Bosch. That would confirm what Bosch first told "60 Minutes."
"You've injected him," asked CBS News' Scott Pelley.
"Yes," said Bosch.
"Personally?"
"Personally."
"With what?"
"With growth hormone. With IGF. With testosterone," Bosch said.
The Miami Herald was shown a summary of Rodriguez's statement provided to the Drug Enforcement Agency. The statement was reportedly then used to build a criminal case against Bosch, who pleaded guilty to distributing PEDs and now faces up to 10 years in prison. Others including Rodriguez's cousin, Yuri Sucart are also facing charges.
In an interview with "60 minutes," Bosch identified Sucart as Rodriguez's middleman and described a conversation he had with him about Rodriguez's use of performance enhancing drugs.
"At the end, Yuri admitted," said Bosch. "He's done this most of his career. "
CBS News reached out to representatives for both Rodriguez and Sucart. Neither camp has commented.
In his interview with "60 Minutes," Bosch also claimed that members of Rodriguez's inner circle tried to pay Bosch off to keep him from talking about Rodriguez's PED use. But because they were unsuccessful at keeping Bosch quiet, Rodriguez ended up having to talk to federal investigators himself.