Help Me, Albert Pujols, You're My Only Hope

Saturday was a bad enough day when it was reported Alex Rodriguez, my largest hope to break Barry Bonds' home run record*, was accused of testing positive for steroid use.

A-Rod was the heir apparent to this record. He is on record pace to hit 800 home runs by the time he hangs up his cleats. He can play in the field, despite what some people may say. He even seemed like a decent human being to top it all off.

Then today came the news that basically made me want to cry. My hopes were slashed as Alex Rodriguez admitted to using steroids today in an interview that will be seen on this afternoon's five o'clock Sportscenter.

It was bad enough to admit it, but A-Rod apparently made this a habit during his final years as a Texas Ranger.

Rodriguez said he used the drugs from 2001-03, culminating in his MVP season in 2003, in which he hit .298, driving in 118 runs and knocking 47 home runs.

A-Rod was never even a player many considered to possibly have to use steroids, having multiple successful seasons even before he began taking steroids.

In his final three seasons in Seattle, Rodriguez hit more than 40 home runs in each of those seasons and drove in at least 110 runs every year, including 132 in 2000.

This news can also been seen as a fitting conclusion to the whirlwind that has been Alex Rodriguez over the past year.

This past summer, rumors of him and Madonna were rampantly running through the tabloids, eventually resulting in his divorce from his wife, Cynthia. He also saw a drop in his numbers, playing in fewer games and amassing himself in controversy on the field with an incident in Toronto.

The yearly harassment for lacking production in the post-season was spared as the Yankees finished third in the AL East.

Then, finally, today comes the news that Alex Rodriguez did in fact take steroids, admitting he is one of the 104 random positive tests from screening in 2003.

The question now facing many people who supported A-Rod's quest for 763 and beyond is this: Where do we turn for the fresh face to correct the corruption in the universe?

Looking at the current landscape of baseball, there are two men who stand out in Ryan Howard and Albert Pujols.

Both are hitting home runs at rapid paces and are major threats for MVP every year. with both men already holding at least one in their back pocket.

Pujols has 319 home runs over his eight year career, averaging 39 home runs a season currently. He looks to be a life-long Cardinal, and is definitely someone that people can look up to. He just turned 29 last month, so his prime should be over the next few years and will definitely tell us if he has a chance to break the mark.

Howard is 29 also and only has 177 home runs, but is quickly making up time. He has hit over 45 home runs the past three seasons, but his late start in the Majors may make the difference. Barry Bonds is the only man to hit a sufficient amount of home runs, as in around 35, after his 38th birthday, meaning Howard would have to average over 45 home runs over the next season years to even potentially sniff 500 by age 37.

Nonetheless, all of these accomplishments will be watched very closely over the next few years to see how both men progress. New comers such as Evan Longoria are one to watch as well, but it will be another two or three years before he can truly be judged on his potential to reach 763.

As for the present state of baseball, more steroid allegations are sure to follow this A-Rod story as Curt Schilling, always one to keep his mouth shut, said that he wants all 104 names released from the 2003 testing. It wouldn't be surprising to see these names emerge sometime soon, according to Tim Kurkjian, especially with how dark the A-Rod admittance has now made baseball.