Mariotti: If A-Rod Is Role Model, Hall Is Reachable

If the writers were voting today, Rodriguez would fall far short of the necessary 75 percent for induction. The stench of his steroids admission is too recent and wretched to simply dismiss, despite delivering the monster autumn hits we’ve long demanded….

Now, to turn enough voters his way, he must use the next eight years to be a high-profile role model in the fight against steroids. So far, Rodriguez has had one press conference in which he told the truth, part of the truth but not the whole truth. We need to hear much more, the full story. Then, he must meet with President Obama and volunteer to lead a federal anti-steroids campaign, complete with appearances, public-service announcements and exhaustive work that showcases his transparency and commitment to youth. Rather than bury the mistake and hope everyone forgets about it—when we won’t—A-Rod should turn the biggest negative of his career into a positive and set an example of post-steroids reform.

If he does so, he’d have my Hall vote.

Eight years of community service… for A-Rod’s sake, I hope Obama is on board with this.