A-Rod Joins Ranks of Disgraced Athletes with Gambling Allegations

COMMENTARY | After Radar Online's report of Alex Rodriguez's participation in a Hollywood high-stakes poker game that is linked to drug use and violence, ESPN's Wallace Matthews revealed that an MLB executive who asked to remain anonymous said A-Rod could be suspended if the investigation proves he was in attendance. Major League Baseball released a statement saying, "We take this very seriously and have been investigating this matter since the initial allegation -- As part of the investigation the commissioner's office will interview Mr. Rodriguez."

MLB's investigation centers on the fact that Rodriguez had been warned prior to the most recent incident by both the Yankees and MLB commissioner Bud Selig about gambling in underground poker clubs. The major concern is that involvement with gamblers who also bet on the outcome of baseball games could result in a lifetime ban from baseball, a la Pete Rose.

I believe the best thing for Rodriguez to do now is come clean, take his punishment and move on with the season. Illegal gambling is almost as taboo in baseball as steroids, so no matter what the outcome his reputation will be tarnished for the rest of his career. I cannot understand why one of the most popular athletes in the world would risk everything to catch a straight flush on the river.

A-Rod's recent gambling problems are just the latest in a long line of disappointments delivered by all-star athletes. Tiger Woods just wrapped up his epic fall from grace by returning to golf after several affairs were discovered by his wife and then the media. Even Michael Jordan has had his bouts with sex and gambling. Jordan's problems left many wondering if a star athlete who seemed to display impeccable morals and starred in a movie with Bugs Bunny had a closet packed with skeletons; are athletes really the best role models?

Baseball definitely doesn't need the bad publicity. It was the American Pastime that sent players to testify before Congress about the use of illegal performance-enhancing drugs, an epidemic that has stained the sport's reputation with asterisks and question marks. Even my favorite childhood athlete, David Justice, has been listed among the players who have been accused of steroid use in the Mitchell Report. Justice is now ineligible for future Hall of Fame balloting due to receiving only one vote in the 2008 vote, held shortly after the release of the Mitchell Report.

It's clear that professional athletes are held in high regard, and the nature of their profession is especially alluring to a younger demographic, but it might be time we find new role models for our children. How many times do athletes need to prove over and over they cannot keep their nose clean, even when it can be detrimental to their career? I think Charles Barkley said it best when he stated, "A million guys can dunk a basketball in jail; should they be role models?"