Now the future and legacy of the fading Yankees slugger known as A-Rod has been shredded after the 38-year-old became the latest sports star shot down in doping disgrace.
US baseball home run king Barry Bonds tested positive for steroids in November 2000, months before his record 73rd home run season, US prosecutors said.
The Mitchell Report came up with details of widespread use of steroids in America's pastime.
Barry Bonds tied Babe Ruth for second place on Major League Baseball's all-time home run list with his 714th run
'He grew up poor and faced racism as he worked to become one of the greatest baseball players of all time. Hank never let the hatred he faced consume him.'
Victor Conte, the man at the centre of what was the United States's biggest doping scandal, believes the latest drug scandal to rock the sports world is all part of a cover up to protect the bottom line.