Johnny Damon rode an emotional roller coaster yesterday when he heard that Alex Rodriguez admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs while playing for the Rangers.
The Yankee center fielder vowed to support his friend and teammate as the Bombers prepare for what they believe will be a sensational year with the opening of the new Yankee Stadium and the free-agent additions of CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Mark Teixeira.
Yet, having baseball’s greatest player – perhaps of all time – admitting he used steroids had Damon down.
Rodriguez is one of 104 players to fail a survey drug test in 2003 that players were told by their union would be confidential.
“That’s too bad. There are 103 others, and why is A-Rod out there and nobody else?” said Damon.
“It’s a stain on the game. I almost feel like it’s a stain on everybody else, the other 700 who didn’t test positive.
“The fans will put all the players under suspicion, and that’s [garbage]. I don’t know how to right the wrong. It’s so bad.”
Asked if he would like the other 103 names to come out, Damon said:
“I don’t want to see anybody else [have] to deal with what Alex is dealing with,” Damon said.
“He is the poster child for baseball. It’s not up to me, but if they do, I am not going to be terribly upset.”
Former Yankee manager Joe Torre, now with the Dodgers, said he was “blindsided” to learn steroid use “was so widespread,” and added, “We all have to take blame for this.”
Regarding A-Rod, Torre said, “I had never really heard anything in connection to him. When you watch his work ethic, the time he puts in at batting practice and in the weight room, I had no reason to question him. …
“It’s going to be tough for him, but I’m happy that he came out, faced the music and took responsibility for it.”
Damon, informed by The Post that Rodriguez admitted to using six years ago, applauded his friend’s decision to come clean.
“That’s probably the best thing he could have probably done,” Damon said. “It’s good he fessed up and was a man about it. He is going to need our support this year.”
Asked if Rodriguez’s admission would help the Yankees, Damon said, “At least we won’t be answering questions based on speculation.”
Said hitting coach Kevin Long: “What hurts is that they went after him and nobody else. Our focus remains the same – win a championship, and we need him to do that. He will be fine. He will overcome it.”
When Rodriguez arrives in camp, reliever Brian Bruney said, the third baseman will be welcomed with hugs.
“Everybody makes mistakes,” Bruney said. “I guarantee there won’t be one of us in [the clubhouse] who will hold anything against Alex for what he did.
“It’s a little ridiculous – it was six or seven years ago. But it does affect us, because we have to hear it from everybody. I can vouch for how hard Alex works, and [A-Rod’s admission] doesn’t change my opinion of him.”
