Fastball Fans

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Sometimes, as much as Alex Rodriguez tries to have the perfect persona, he tries too hard and sometimes winds up having “foot-in-mouth” syndrome.

Well, Alex Rodriguez expects to be questioned repeatedly about drug use as he approaches Barry Bonds’ career home-run record and he sure didn’t quell rumors yesterday as started chatting about the topic and seemingly didn’t know when to stop.

Alex Rodriguez sat in the first-base dugout at Legends Field, surrounded by the usual circle of cameras, microphones and reporters. He knows the scrutiny will only increase as he approaches Barry Bonds’ career home-run record, especially in an era when all top athletes must prove they haven’t juiced up on performance-enhancing drugs.

In his first session with reporters during spring training, Rodriguez talked about baseball’s drug-testing program and made a curious statement.

“Last year, I got tested 9-to-10 times,” Rodriguez said. “We have a very, very strict policy, and I think the game is making tremendous strides.”

If Rodriguez had been tested that many times, either he was selected for an unusually high number of random checks or he might have been subjected to additional tests — which would happen, for instance, if a player tests positive for a banned stimulant for the first time.

Later in the day, A-Rod said it was just hyperbole.

“My quote from earlier today was taken literally. I was not tested nine or 10 times last year. I was just using exaggeration to make a point,” Rodriguez said in a statement through Yankees spokesman Jason Zillo.

“My intent was simply to shed light on the fact that the current program being implemented is working, and a reason for that is through frequent testing. I apologize for any confusion I may have caused.”

Rodriguez stated categorically that he had never taken steroids or human growth hormone. He said he isn’t worried about Jose Canseco, who has hinted without going into detail that he will make allegations of some sort against Rodriguez in an upcoming book.

“Right now, the game is in a very not-trusting situation with our public, with our fans,” A-Rod said. “Some of the things that I’ve accomplished and potentially some of the things that people think I can accomplish, my name has come up and will probably come up again in the future.”

A-Rod, welcome to your future…