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Alex Rodriguez Ironically Enlists Barry Bonds to Help Him Train

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By @MichaelTerrill

Alex Rodriguez

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Even though the New York Yankees have already stated Alex Rodriguez will only return to the team in 2015 in the role of a designated hitter, A-Rod still must get into baseball shape. Apparently, he thought the best way to do that was by training with none other than Barry Bonds.

I will never forget the image of Bonds defending himself to the cameras during an interview at an MLB All-Star Game a few years back. It was not Bonds proclaiming his innocence to the cameras that caught my attention, although that was amusing. Rather, it was the cameras catching Bonds and Rodriguez in a candid moment.

Even though there was no audio, it was quite clear Bonds was essentially explaining to Rodriguez his side of the performance-enhancing drugs allegations. What really caught my eye was how A-Rod listened intently, while also seeming like he did not buy a word the guy was saying.

What we now know is Rodriguez is no different from Bonds. Both men were the best in the business at some point in their career and both ball players were caught in a web of lies when it came to performance-enhancing drugs. Oh yeah, even more important is that Bonds and Rodriguez have basically been shunned from baseball, even though A-Rod will seemingly get another shot with the Yankees come April.

Still, it is hard not to see the irony in a 40-year-old Rodriguez who is plagued with hip injuries seeking how to get back into the swing of things by absorbing everything Bonds tells him. I have to imagine the two had a conversation at some point in the past behind closed doors about how to get around the use of PEDs. Of course, there is no evidence to support such a statement. Still, one can only assume how both men feel completely lost at this stage of their lives.

If Rodriguez miraculously pulls off a productive year, do not be surprised if he gives Bonds some credit. But, to be honest, I cannot imagine him getting much playing time to show off what he learned from the disgraced home run king.

Michael Terrill is a Senior Writer for Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @MichaelTerrill, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

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