Should MLB focus more on Alex Rodriguez approaching Willie Mays?

Alex Rodriguez is now only two home runs behind Willie Mays’ fourth place spot on the all-time home run list. Major League Baseball is not paying much attention to this upcoming career milestone and that’s a good thing.

In a recent game against the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday, Alex Rodriguez crushed two balls out of the park. This was the first time he has hit two home runs in a game since 2013. Those two long balls have now put him just two home runs behind Willie Mays on the all-time list, meaning that three more home runs will put Rodriguez in fourth place on baseball’s all-time home run list. This kind of achievement is certainly a milestone in a player’s career and A-Rod is no doubt excited to move up the home run food chain.

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But should MLB be as excited about the three-time American League MVP’s latest foray in history making?

No. They should not.

Simply put, A-Rod cheated. In 2009, it was reported that A-Rod tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs during his amazing 2003 season. After the report broke, Rodriguez came out and admitted that he did in fact take performance-enhancing drugs throughout his three seasons with the Texas Rangers, beginning in 2001. During his time in Texas A-Rod hit a total 156 homers, played in three All-Star games, was crowned the American League MVP, was also crowned the American League home run champion three times, received two Gold Glove Awards, three Silver Slugger Awards, and three American League Hank Aaron awards. It was a huge three years for Rodriguez that are now tainted by the use of performance-enhancing drugs. Rodriguez was not punished for his drug use because MLB did not have any punishment measures in place at the time. Would he have been as successful during those years if he had stayed away from the drugs? Probably not.

A-Rod went on to further taint his career when he found himself yet again caught up in scandal. Rodriguez was accused of receiving human growth hormones from the rejuvenation clinic, Biogenesis of America. A-Rod vehemently denied taking any kind of performance-enhancing drug, but was suspended the entire 2014 season for violating the League’s drug policy. That following November it was revealed that A-Rod had admitted to the DEA that he had in fact used performance-enhancing drugs.

Rodriguez has achieved a phenomenal level of performance due to performance-enhancing drugs. If the MLB celebrates his accomplishments then they in turn celebrate taking performance-enhancing drugs. At least 156 of A-Rod’s 658 home runs have come while taking performance-enhancing drugs and it will reflect poorly on the MLB and the sport of baseball if A-Rod is heralded for surpassing Willie Mays.

Cheaters have no room in the sport of baseball and the MLB should sweep A-Rod under the rug as best they can, because really–he belongs there.

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