A Rod Steroids

According to a February 7, 2009, Sports Illustrated report, Major League Baseball superstar Alex Rodriguez tested positive for two anabolic steroids in 2003 while playing for the Texas Rangers.

In an interview with ESPN on February 9, 2009, Rodriguez admitted to using a banned substance in 2003 and apologized to fans for his "Texas years."ESPN.com: A-Rod Admits, Regrets Use of PEDs Rodriguez held a press conference on February 17, 2009, providing further detailed information about his steroid use, specifying his use of "Boli" steroids which had been smuggled out of the Dominican Republic.ESPN.com: A-Rod answers questions, raises more

In 2003, the year that A Rod reportedly used anabolic steroids, he appeared in 161 games. He led the American league with 47 home runs. Rodriguez also drove in 118 runs batted in and finished the season with a .298 batting average and an impressive .600 slugging percentage. FOX Sports: A-Rod tested positve for steroids in '03 (February 7, 2008)

A-Rod led Major League Baseball in home runs and was named the American League Most Valuable Player. According to the report, A-Rod was among 104 players who tested positive for steroids in a 2003 steroid use survey conducted by Major League Baseball. The story was previously sealed because of an agreement between the Major League Baseball Players Association and Major League Baseball. Several sources confirmed the story to reporters for Sports Illustrated in February of 2009. There was no penalty for steroid use in baseball during the 2003 season and A-Rod is not expected to be suspended for his positive test result in the 2003 season.SI.com: Alex Rodriguez tested positive for steroids in 2003 (February 7, 2009)

Former Major League Baseball player Jose Canseco previously revealed in his book Vindicated: Big Names, Big Liars, and the Battle to Save Baseball, that he had introduced Alex Rodriguez to a steroids supplier while playing in the league. The revelation was made by Canseco in March of 2008, nearly one year before the rumors were confirmed in a Sports Illustrated report.YouTube Video: Canseco Links A-Rod to steroids, his ex-wife (Time: 1:00)

In the past, A-Rod had repeatedly denied using steroids. In a high profile interview with Katie Couric in 2007, Rodriguez was asked point blank by Couric, "For the record, have you ever used steroids, human growth hormone or any other performance-enhancing substance?" Rodriguez replied "No." CBS News: A-Rod: I've never used steroids (December 16, 2007)