Earlier this month, Bronson Arroyo of Cincinnati Reds gave a statement to the media that he might be included in the infamous 104 list of players positive for steroids. He admitted that he took so many over-the-counter supplements and other performance enhancing drugs. It was in 1998 up to 2003 when he took androstenedione and amphetamines. Andro was banned by MLB in 2004 because it was tainted with steroids. Taking andro could cause a positive steroid test because it was laced with steroids like Winstrol.

After that interview, Arroyo was frequently flocked by media asking him what he knows about the steroid era. This is where most of the league’s best players are accused of using steroids and other performance enhancing drugs. Some major dailies also put him on the headlines. Arroyo knows the consequences of his revelations and most sportswriter commended his actions. He is different from other players who tried to deny steroid related allegations or were forced to make a public apology to redeem themselves. “This is what happens when you spit the truth,” Arroyo said when several media wait near his locker room after a game.

In an interview with the USA Today, Arroyo admits that he even took supplements which are not certified by the league. “I have a lot of guys in (the locker room) who think I’m out of (my) mind because I’m taking a lot of things not on the (MLB-approved) list,” he said. Aside from the 10 to 12 different supplements that he takes everyday, he still adds 4 more when pitching. “There’s a caffeine drink I take from a company that Curt Schilling introduced me to in ‘05. I take some Korean ginseng and a few other proteins out there that are not certified. But I haven’t failed any tests, so I figured I’m good,” Arroyo added.

But Arroyo did not stop talking about his own steroid use but also talks about steroids at large in the league. He believes much of the steroids climate is hypocritical. He said that fans were also part of the problem. They don’t even care about Manny Ramirez’ steroid issue. He also understands why some baseball legend like Hank Aaron complains about their records being tainted with steroids.

Arroyo told Mark Sheldon of MLB.com that he already presumed that he could be on the list. “Before that, you never knew what you were getting. The FDA doesn’t regulate things unless it’s killing people,” he said. “No one knows, of the 104 guys that are on there, if David Ortiz was taking a steroid or not taking a steroid. There are so many things out there that could have made us fail the test. I’m defending those guys and saying until you know the whole truth, you can’t really convict those guys. There are so many things out there that can make you test positive back in those days,” Arroyo added.

When asked about the potential health risk that could be associated with these supplements, Arroyo is not bothered. “I’d love to wake up in the morning, have some fruit, a bowl of cereal and have a good lunch and maybe take a multivitamin for the day,” he said. “The reality is I’m probably not going to be as good of a Major League pitcher if I did. I won’t be able to do those things until I retire. If you look inside this box [in my locker], it’s filled with stuff. I will continue to take the stuff.”

What is surprising with Bronson Arroyo is he never failed a steroid test even he admitted taking performance enhancing drugs. Although some of the supplements he is taking are not certified by the Major League Baseball, he still continues taking these substances to get a physical edge. It includes creatine, proteins, vitamins, ginseng and caffeine.

Although it created a lot of problems to some players in the league, the Cincinnati Reds pitcher is happy that MLB instituted mandatory testing. “I feel like the game’s getting cleared up,” he said.

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