Jorge Posada: Drug-Users, like Alex Rodriguez, should not be in the Hall of Fame

By Cheri Cheng - 13 May '15 14:52PM

Former New York Yankees catcher Jorge Posada believes that players who have used drugs should not be admitted into the Hall of Fame.

Posada, who retired in 2011 after 17 seasons with the Yankees, is currently on his book tour for his autobiography, "The Journey Home: My Life in Pinstripes." During an interview with CBS This Morning that aired on Wednesday, Posada was asked if players who have used steroids belong in the Hall of Fame.

He replied, "No, I don't think it's fair for the guys that have been in the Hall of Fame that have played the game clean."

Mark Strassmann then followed up on his question by asking specifically if Posada's former teammate, Alex Rodriguez deserves to be in the Hall of Fame.

Posada replied, " I don't think it's fair. I really don't. I think the guys that need to be in the Hall of Fame need to be (players) that played with no controversy."

In the interview, Posada also talked about how he missed out on winning the 2003 American League Most Valuable Player award. He ended up third in voting while Rodriguez, whose steroid use was not revealed yet, won.

"The only thing that I can think is 2003. You know, I was close to the MVP. Didn't happen. Alex won the MVP and, you know, I think second, either Carlos Delgado or David Ortiz, I don't remember. But you know, I was almost there," Posada said in regards to whether or not he resents players who used drugs particularly during the Steroids Era.. "You know what could have happened if, you know it's tough. It's really tough."

Posada batted .281 with 30 home runs and 101 RBIs during the 2003 season. He has also played with pitcher Roger Clemens, who used performance-enhancing drugs.

Rodriguez was suspended the entire 2014 season after the league found out about his drug use. The 39-year-old veteran is batting .243 with eight homeruns and 20 RBIs. Rodriguez recently passed Willie Mays on the all-time homeruns list with his 661st career homer.

Posada's No. 20 will be retired at Yankee Stadium on Aug. 22.