In a 2007 interview with hard-boiled gotcha journalist Katie Couric, soft-spoken Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez flat out denied taking steroids. Gotcha.
In light of today's allegations that Rodriguez tested positive for two banned substances in 2003, this blunt denial by Rodriguez seems somewhat humorous. But then again, isn't everything A-Rod does kind of humorous? Oh, and Katie - I know you're trying hard to be taken seriously as a journalist, but the soft focus on the interview sure doesn't help the image. Here's your money quotes:
"For the record, have you ever used steroids, human growth hormone or any other performance-enhancing substance?" Couric asked.
"No," Rodriguez replied.
Asked if he had ever been tempted to use any of those things, Rodriguez told Couric, "No."
"You never felt like, 'This guy's doing it, maybe I should look into this, too? He's getting better numbers, playing better ball,'" Couric asked.
"I've never felt overmatched on the baseball field. I've always been a very strong, dominant position. And I felt that if I did my work as I've done since I was, you know, a rookie back in Seattle, I didn't have a problem competing at any level. So, no," he replied.
I have a feeling this is going to be a fun story.
[CBS News]