Alex Rodriguez loves to exaggerate. He likes to exaggerate his worth, his ego and his talent. He also likes to commodify exaggeration when it comes to talking about how many times he was tested for steroids last year, which is odd because it’s a fine line when talking about steroids in baseball. So, you’d imagine that every player with a glint of scrutiny would value frankness and distance himself from controversy. Go to the clip:

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.”

Now is this the cotton swab on the inner cheek method, or is someone carrying around tons of A-Rod pee? Continue.

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.

You’ve just proven you’re smarter than you look, bud. George Mitchell, get em’!

A-Rod arrives, welcomes scrutiny [SI]
Image [AP]