Reggie Jackson Blasts A-Rod, Other PED Users

Reggie Jackson, the MLB Hall of Famer, is very opinionated, especially when it comes to comments about Alex Rodriguez and other stars who have admitted to using performance enhancing drugs.

ESPN reports that Jackson stated of A-Rod, the New York Yankees third baseman that:

“Al’s a very good friend…but I think there are real questions about his numbers. As much as I like him, what he admitted about his usage does cloud some of his records.”

Both Rodriguez and teammate Andy Pettitte have admitted to using performance enhancing drugs (PEDs) in the past. For Pettitte, he admitted to using human growth hormone to heal faster after he sustained an elbow injury in 2002, reports News Day. Reggie Jackson stated of Pettitte’s Hall of Fame candidacy that:

“The question is going to be a guy like Andy Pettitte, who admitted that he got involved for a while but who is so universally respected in the game. I think he’ll get in, but there will be a lot of [members] who won’t go [to the ceremony].”

ESPN notes that Jackson predicted a boycott by members if anyone who has been linked to PED use, like A-Rod or Barry Bonds, is voted in to the Hall by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. Jackson stated, “If any of those guys get in, no Hall of Famer will attend.”

Jackson also spoke of players who have already been voted into the Hall of Fame, according to Was Watching, saying:

“I didn’t see Kirby Puckett as a Hall of Famer. I didn’t see Gary Carter as a Hall of Famer. I didn’t see Don Sutton as a Hall of Famer. I didn’t see Phil Niekro as a Hall of Famer. As much as I like Jim Rice, I’m not so sure he’s a Hall of Famer.”

Do you agree with Reggie Jackson’s assertion that players who have used PEDs should not be allowed into the Hall of Fame?