1 Jose Canseco O'Connell center 8 P.M. >>> Good evening and thank you all for coming tonight t0 accent's final presentation for the year. My name is David Buchalter. With a total of over 30 speakers, this is the most exciting for accent. Members and the local community have attended our speakers throughout the year. The fall and semester staff have worked harder than I've ever seen you work tirelessly to expand the community and your efforts are tireless. For all your support, work and dedication I thank you tremendously. 2 I'd like to leave this post as chair of accent with one message to the university community. as college students, we're in our beginning stages of forming our opinions about our world. We are privileged to have a country and a university that vigorously supports free speech and diversity. While you may not agree with a speaker's particular message, hearing out their argument will solidify your belief in one thing, the power of knowledge. The brilliance of dedication is the individual's ability to discern truth from falsehood and fact from fiction, that given to me through each speaker's 3 message will carry me throughout the rest of my life. I hope each and every one of you will carry it with you. I would like to thank someone before we go forward, LohSE Beeland, please come up. She will be heading to her distinguished post at the university of Maryland. Despite the Terrapin being a significantly looming mascot, she leaves 16 years here at the University of Florida. It is unparalleled. When you usually sit in the back over there, I encourage you tonight to sit up front so you understand what a fantastic person and advisor you 4 really are. On behalf of Accent and the rest of the groups at the university, thank you so much for your years of service and we wish you the best of luck at Maryland. Please give LohSE a round of applause. [ Applause ] I would like to personally thank all those who have supported me throughout the year. Beth Walter who will take over LohSE's position as accent administrator advisor has been a pleasure to work with. Dr. David hedge has always been there to provide a comforting opinion and inspirational smile. Thank you to Sandy and 5 Glenda and the administrator of the staff for the expertise and constant patience. On a personal note, thank you all my friends, family, my girlfriend, whose dedication and support have gotten me through this year. We would love to hear your thoughts on tonight's presentation or about accent in general. Please take time to leave feedback at our website. www . SG . Ufl . EDu/accent or on your way out, stop by your feedback table and drop a note. Any person who leaves feedback will enter a raffle to receive a poster signed by tonight's speaker Tonight, accent rounds out 6 the year with baseball author Jose Canseco. His speed and power allowed him to become the first man in history to have 40 home runs and swipe 40 bases in this first season. He's played for several major teams including the New York Yankees, Tampa Bay devil rays of tampa, and Oakland athletics. His career has taken a sharp turn as author of the number one best seller five weeks in a row, "Juiced," how baseball got big. The dialogue exposes how baseball got big in major league baseball and discusses society's perception of drugs in professional sports. Implicating major players in scandal, "juice" has 7 landed him in the middle. He will take questions at both the bottom and top level. He will sign books for a limited time at gate 2. Thank you for coming to accent's presentation. It's been an honor to serve you. Accent and the University of Florida proudly present Jose Canseco. [ Applause ] >>> Hopefully, these work properly here. Mr. Buchalter, the University of Florida, accent speakers bureau, I am humbled and thankful for the opportunity to be here before you today. Never in my wildest dreams 8 could I have imagined my life and athletic ability would lead me down a path even close to what I've experienced over the last few months. As I am sure you can imagine, what I thought would be a simple book about my life has kept me extremely busy. Interviews, contracts, appearing before conked of course the confirmation of the book's success on my recent appearance on "the surreal life." wait until you see this show. Please tune in. it will be ridiculous, the best one ever. I am thankful for a chance to speak in a forum where TV cameras aren't recording, reporters aren't 9 hounding me with questions and flash bulbs are not exploding. Some are. when I decided to write my life story, I was wear what I reveal about myself in the game and played for the majority of my life would create a stir in the athletic world. When my book was released, I was questioned regarding my motives, truthfulness and endured endless attacks on my family and personal life. Slowly following my book's release, individuals who attacked me and questions raised in my book began to change their opinions What was first considered lies and embellishment quickly became the topic of 10 conversation in every broadcast, newspaper and eventually the halls of Congress. Clearly the topic my book touched on was affecting everyone. Both in and out of the sports arena, fans, players, elected officials, parents, young athletes all had stories of how steroids affected their lives and how widespread steroid use was in all sports. I had hoped what I experienced first hand would reveal -- give insight too darker side of the game I loved That maybe it would force baseball to acknowledge and condone this activity for the sole purpose of increasing revenue at the 11 gate. To some extent -- at the gate. To some extent, my Revelations accomplished what I had hoped for unfortunately, there are still a lot of questions unanswered and those who continually deny the existence of steroids in sports and how to deal with the problem. It is clear others have come out in support of my relations fearful of major league baseball. "Juiced" was to make one message. I do not condone or encourage the use of any particular drugs, medicine or illegal substances in any aspect of life. My book was informational 12 and intended to enlighten the world about a problem, until my book was released had only been spoken of in whispers. Did not write my book to single out any one individual or any player. I am saddened that the media and others have chosen a focus on the names in the book and not on the real culprit behind this issue. That the events of my life and those involved in it may have inadvertently damaged players was not my intent. I hope finally the media and the world would try and dig beyond the easy answer and not fix blame but fix the problem a problem that will continue unchecked 13 until someone other than those who currently police the sports industry takes charge. I was born with my brother in humble beginnings on July 2nd, 19 64, in Cuba. People in our small town would say Ozzie and I were like pocket sized at Tom bombs when we were babies. Although twins were not usual in Cuba at the time. Twins to survive birth and early life was those were very difficult and turbulent times as the Cuban government was aware my father did not support their system and desperately wanted to leave Cuba for a better life in the United States. One year after I was born, 14 the cuban government announced it would allow an airlift of people our family finally went to the airport hoping to be one of those lucky groups permitted to leave. We arrived there, was only one plane that held about 20 people. Somehow, we were chosen and my family, along with a few other people packed ourselves in a tiny prop engine plane for the trip to the United States. I do not remember much of the trip, but was reminded as a young boy of the perhaps of the journey and how fortunate we were to have escaped Cuba. My father told us how hot the plane was and how difficult it was to leave 15 behind the home he had created in Cuba player to Castro coming to power. We left behind family, friends, money, personal possessions, and took with us only hope and uncertainty of a better life. We had nothing. No home, no job, no idea of a future. But my father experienced teaching English which allowed him to land a job. It was good position. But still, he had to work extra jobs as a security guard at night to supplement our family's income. As a result, my father rarely had extra time to spend with his two boys. The one thing that we did 16 do with my father was play baseball. On afternoons between jobs, dad would drive Ozzie and me to a nearby school in OpAlACkA to keep us baseball. This became when we were about 3 or four years old and continued for years. We could hardly wait until school would get out so we could hit baseballs against any backstop, wall or field. I had no idea that this beginning would play such an important role in where my life would go. It's a long one, isn't it. Blame my attorney for that one. Where is he? As a young boy I had continuous health problems, 17 general bone problems with my back, scoliosis and a hard time recovering from any strenuous activity. I remember later in my life, coming from baseball practice and games and having to lie on the floor so my back could straighten out and the pain would go away. This is probably why my father said that Ozzie took the game faster than I did. Took to the game faster than I did I could always hit the ball further but Ozzie seemed to have quicker ability to move when we were younger. Back then, my father used a little known system of negative positive reinforcement. Basically, instead of 18 offering words of encouragement like great hit or you are going to be great, dad would say, you're going to grow up and work at Burger King or McDONALD'S even though I eat there now and then. Or will tell you, you will never add up to anything. In my dad's mind, this was negative positive encouragement to make us work harder and prove him wrong kind of reverse psychology for improvement for young kids. I remember his favorites negative positive reinforcement term he would shout at us lovingly, you stink. It must have worked because it was hard to take as a young child and continued 19 to motivate me to do better to improve wrong and still continue. While my father got me started on baseball, it was my mother who provided me with everything else. When dad's comments would upset us, mom would make us better. She was stay-at-home mom. she was a stay-at-home mom, who had a way of healing anything that hurt and man, could she cook. There was always something on the stove, usually cuban food. Unlike dad, she never learned much about sports and never got angry at us, not once, even though sometimes we definitely deserved it. Mom never came to our 20 games. That was our father's domain. She was very old-fashioned and hardly spoke any English. She would sing to us in Spanish and put us to sleep each night. My mother was our rock, our protector when my dad had a bad day at work or some other reason. Don't get me wrong, it may be hard to believe, I was not always an angel and sometimes I deserved discipline My mom was the one always trying to soften the blows from my dad. it was evidently clear I was closer to my mom. I loved her very much. People find it hard to 21 believe. I always wanted to do something other than baseball when I was growing up I loved going to the movies and remember watching Bruce Lee slay the dragon. I could not wait to copy and get into the movies. We had nothing. There was no money for private lessons or attend proper classes. Where there's a will, there's a way and we found a friend and instructor who agreed to teach us some of the moves we had seen. Although lessons were sporadic, Oz and I constantly practices with ourselves. As a result, over the next 22 20 years I became profit at the three martial arts disciplines. Associating with martial arts help med in many ways in later life. That was how my early life DVD developed. I spent time playing baseball and trying to live a dream beyond a Cuban born immigrant. 0 Pedro in the Oakland A's I always called that Judd Nelson character. The guy they kept turning the screws in to so he could get a smart response. I just never knew when to turn it off. I like to think my attitude reflected how comfortable I was with myself, as the author Michael CARBonE recently wrote in the "New 23 York Times," I never met a man who's more comfortable with who he is, not who he think he's is, not with our current president or those who best himself, like our president's predecessor but with himself. Needless to say with such a less than great beginning I was shocked to get drafted in 19 82. I began my career in Idaho falls. We had no money. I was making 600 dollars a month. I had two pair of jeans I wore all the time when I wasn't in uniform. All the players lived together in a place that was almost condemned We began calling it the animal house. 24 I was young and innocent. The power behind the machine was major league baseball. I made this mistake early in getting caught up in the team attitude, just trying to be part of the crowd. I started drinking and trying time press my teammates. I had no idea what I was doing and just got drunk. I remember everyone on the team laughing, then it went dark. I was in really bad shape and almost died from alcohol poisoning. I never drank again. I did not light the world on fire that year, I barely hit . 2 60. I began thinking I was wasting my time and should 25 give it up to go to Florida. Then I received a call from my sister that mom was sick and to come home. She did not tell me how sick my mother was. s I knew it must be really bad. When I got to the hospital, my mother had already suffered a brain an aneurysm brought on by a blood clot in her back she was in a co ma. The doctor told us her brain was dead. and that she passed away. I stayed with my mom in the hospital to have some time alone with her, even though I knew she was already gone, it was still my mother there and I sat close to her and had one 26 last heart-to-heart with her. I told her then I was going to be the best athlete in the world, no matter what it would take, I was going to be the best. I knew she could hear me, I felt it in my soul, then she was gone. I will be the first to admit up to that . I never worked hard at any baseball. Everything changed that day. I worked hard r, stayed later. I was determined to find each and every little help I could make to make me the best athlete to fulfill the promise I made to my mother. When I found out about 27 steroids, it seemed like the answer to my prayer and the best way to accomplish what I said to my mom. people talk how steroids make you a cheater. guess to some extent that is true what they fail to acknowledge, steroid or any other drug or aid do not give you talent. They do not give you hand-eye coordination. They cannot create what you do not have to begin with. The steroids helped my ability to do things I could already do, most certainly. I also firmly believe my natural talent and ability together with a personal drive to succeed would resulted in a great professional baseball 28 career. The common misconception is that taking steroids is a guarantee of success. That cannot possibly be the truth. Jason Giambi had a miserable season in 2004, way below his lifetime batting average of . 3 0 2. Myself and others have taken steroids and seen our career go up and down as any other athlete would. there is no guaranteed success, you must train harder, eat harder and generally do more when you take steroids than at any other time you do not. Why then do athletes choose to Expos themselves to the risks and uncertainty. I wish the answer was simple In most cases it's 29 not for the fame and the money. While some may take them hoping to get an advantage, the plain answer is most do it just to survive in their sport. While Jason Giambi and Barry Bonds are regular all-stars, if you are to believe me and the late Ken cam men netty, almost half are taking steroids today. They're not doing it just to stain the game, they're doing it to pay the bills. This is our job. Senators and teachers and others take drugs everyday to permit them to do their jobs. Many of those are banned substances in sports and can be purchased over the counter. 30 yet when an athlete takes them he or she is cheating and must be banned from the sport. We face the question we struggle to answer. Do we permit our technology to surpass our humanity. It is clear technology has moved at lightning speed. And the world genetics which includes the chemistry associated with steroids we have seen Gene SpliCinG and even the ability to get pregnant still in the womb. To permit wearing of lighter clothing and enhance athletic performance. We accept these enhancements but do not accept chemical assistance. The realities that we do 31 not need to-though the reality is we need to address this issue. The time has come to end the secrecy existed in the sporting world for years to confront those who refuse to acknowledge their role and encouraging the behavior of fans the public seems to be interested in. When I appeared before Congress, I tried to inform them baseball and other sports were carefully concealing the issue. I hesitate to call it a problem because there are benefits to steroid use. After the hearing that the media again held me out as a liar, that my revelations were delusional. How ironic, within one week of the hearings it was 32 discovered the NFL supposedly had the most extensive testing policy of sports had failed to catch three players who had taken steroids throughout their careers. I love the sport of baseball. I love it as purist and its simplist form. I used to long for the time I could pick up a bat and hit it over the fence for the game winning run. I am appreciative of the opportunities the sport of baseball has given to me, along with the quality of life it has provided. It permitted me to take care of my family and provide a better life for myself and others close to me. 33 Had I known that the opportunity would cost me so much, I would have refused to the offer so many years ago. The pressure associated with winning games, pleasing fans and getting the big contract led me and others to engage in behavior that would produce immediate results. This is the same pressure that phases the youth today other athletes and professionals to engage in the same behavior. The time has come to address this issue and set the record straight about the risks involved in this behavior. To send a message to America, especially youth these actions while 34 attractive at first, may tarnish and harm you later. That sometimes there are things more important than simply money. Why did I take steroids? A simple answer because myself and others had no choice if we wanted to continue playing, because major league baseball did nothing but take it out of the sport. As a result, no one truly knew who was on muscle enhancement drugs. As a result, a player who wanted to continue playing to perform as a star was forced to put into their bodies whatever they could to compete at the same level as those around them. In addition, to continue this discussion about the 35 presence of drugs in sports, we also need to reexamine the priority we place on athletics. The American public continues to place athletics in a position above everyone else. Some people are born to greatness and others have greatness thrust on them a successful athlete is viewed as the voice of a city, state and didn't. He or she is playing their sport represents the very spirit of a nation and its people we rarely see riots and the gut wrenching emotion of parent in sports in any other forms. When the Boston Red Sox failed to get to the red series two years ago the pain echoed throughout the 36 fans as personal attack on the city and individual residents there. When the Chicago cubs fan got caught up in the moment and interfered with the game, he was villified, attacked and forced to move and changed his life. Such emotion is felt by the players daily We want only to please those who hold us in such high esteem. We feel deeply on the obligation we have to perform and win. it is a burden that we take on willingly and without hesitation or regret. However, perhaps in addition to addressing the pressing issue, we should take the opportunity to look at the priority that 37 we place on athletes and athletics and change our focus. Baseball owners and the players union have been very much aware of the undenyable fact that as a nation, we will do anything to win. They turned a blind eye to the clear evidence of steroid use in baseball. Why? Because it sells tickets and it resurrected a game that originally suffered a black eye from a player's strike. That result was an intentional act by baseball to promote, condone and encourage the players to do we have they had to do to win games bring back the fans and answer the bottom 38 line. Salaries went up, revenues increased and owners got richer. This comes at a cost. Major league baseball years ago stating clearly a position that banned substances, that enhanced performance were not a part of major league baseball. Major league baseball set forth for testing to support this position. However, during my entire career, no player was ever tested for personal enhancement substances. Because the hollow threat that was never used by anyone involved with major league baseball. It was again made clear press releases were the only thing major league 39 baseball was going to do to clean up baseball's image. The duplicity presented throughout my career continues today. Many have said that my reason for revealing this problem was revenge, monetary gain, vindication. The truth is that I would have played baseball for free. I even offered to play for free some years ago and to donate my salary to a chartty just to be in part of the game. This offer was rejected, and major league baseball turned its back on me, just as it had turned a blind eye to the drugs running rampant through the sport. my motivation is nothing more than clearing the 40 conscious and effort to resurrect a sport that has given me so much. I am reminded daily of the terrorist that my book has had on this issue. I am humbled my book may have played a Shah small part in setting forth this issue. I am hopeful it will yield a positive result. As I said today, I would be remiss if I do not again stress that I do not condone the use of any drugs or illegal substances. I urge parents to become more active and involved in the lives of their children. I hope may message will be received as it is intended, that we as professional 41 athletes are not in bed with anyone else, we just have a special ability that permits us to play ball. We should not be held up at any higher standard or behavior than any other mother or father. Our children's heroes should not be solely the athletes they watch but more important the parents who are with them each day. I promised my mother years ago I would become the greatest athlete in the world. If the Revelation in my book saved the life of just one athlete who is considering following in its path, then, in my mind, I fulfilled the promise I made. Thank you. 42 [ Applause ] Any questions after that? I think I need water-break here. >> can't hear you. >> hello out there. >> Hey, Jose. Thanks for coming. >> Okay. >> I didn't blow your ear drums out there, did I? >> no. >> The question I have for you, with some of the players you named in your book and with accomplishments coming up, like Barry Bonds possibly breaking the home run record, I'm asking you, do you think there should be an asterisk next to these 43 player's numbers or your own number? >> I've been asked that question probably a thousand times. The issue is we don't know exactly when these players were taking steroids. If they were under the influence of steroids, if they broke any records. It's almost impossible to judge. For example, let's say if Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire and Barry Bonds hit it under the influence of steroids, what do you do, take away 20% of the home runs because they were using steroids. It's impossible to tell because they work differently with each individual. 44 So that will never ever happen. >> have a question. Do you think it's the U.S. Congress's time is best spent worried about steroids rather than other important world issues? >> Well, if you really look at the issue of steroids, it's a not just in baseball alone. It's -- at the height of the steroid use, probably mid-to late '90s, it was basically running rampant in every sport. Nonetheless because if these athletes starting, let's say from the high school level, even pre-high school level are watching these athletes and they're realizing, my God, for me 45 to compete with these -- enormous 6'4" 2 60 pound juggernaut baseball players, I have to start right now on steroids. So when it becomes extremely dangerous. It's something that trickled down to preteen. That's when basically the major problem starts. It's a very delicate issue, a very powerful issue, because it seems like athletes in general have influenced our social structure so much, that it could have potentially gotten extremely out of hand with our youth. >> I'd like to thank you for coming, firstoff. You said in your speech that you loved the game and 46 you would play for free. I would like to know how you can make that claim after selling off your trophy case, after writing your book, admitting to steroid use and basically eliminating your chance of getting into the Hall of Fame. As far as playing for free, I believe the dodgers wouldn't guarantee you anything other than a minor league contract to retire. Could you please explain that? >> Okay. I guess it's a multi-part answer here. Number one, getting rid of the items that ties me to major league baseball. Those are just physical items have nothing to do 47 with major league baseball. It's a love to the game itself. When people have a relationship, for example, and are married for 17, 18 years, once that relationship is completely severed, completely broken, you know there's no turning back, the only way I can describe it, you don't keep your boyfriends or girlfriend's or wife or ex-husband's pictures around to view them everyday. You want to completely sever it cleanly, you want to get rid of all the pictures, everything that ties you to that individual. That's all basically what I'm doing. 48 I've moved on completely. I served myself completely from major league baseball. That's why I was able to write this book, "Juiced." What was the other part? >> you said you would be willing to play for flee but after the dodgers wouldn't guarantee you anything other than a minor league contract, you retired. >> absolutely. that had nothing to do with a monetary issue. That had everything to do with playing at the major league level. Obviously, the year before that we had approached, I think, three major league teams and offered to donate the minimum salary, which I think at that time was 49 close to 400, 000 dollars to a local charity and I would come out-of-pocket to bring kids out to the ballpark. >> how you doing tonight? >> First, I'd like to welcome you back to the state of Florida. It's great to have you back here. >> Thank you. >> Second of all, I'd like you to comment on statement you made in your book on page 2 56 it reads because of it all, except for my probation visits I will never again step foot in the state of Florida. I'm pretty sure you're at the university of Florida right now. I could be wrong, 50 but -- can you make a comment on that? >> I think you're right. What happened there, actually, all these incidents took place in Miami and I think I meant more Miami than the state of Florida. We're very far away from Miami, thank God. But here's the issue, though. do have to go back to Miami tomorrow because I have a civil lawsuit there, so there you go. I'm stuck. You got me on that one. I'm forced to. >> In what chapter do you tell your wife beating and jail talk? >> There is not a chapter on that. 51 If you'd like to rephrase the question and ask me properly, I'd be willing to answer that properly >> thank you. >> about two people ago he kind of alluded to it but I don't feel like the question was answered You mentioned how you were willing to play for free I was wondering where all the revenues from the book are going? >> right now, we haven't even decided that. Actually, we don't know exactly how many books have been sold so we well have to see what happens after that. It will be a question down the line. 52 That might be a good question probably about six months down the line. >> do you have an idea if you're going to give it to charity or all going to go to pocket? >> I am involved with Canseco's kids, make a wish foundation, Miami's children hospital. Believe me, athletes get involved in so many charities it's incredible. I don't really know of any athlete not involved in performing charitys. >> Mr. Canseco, on page 2 31 in your book -- >> I wish I had my book here. >> You say you ran a 3-9 40 yard dash with the Tampa Bay devil rays in 2000. 53 I just want to know if it was downhill with the wind at your back? >> Let me finish my question. >> Let me -- wait a minute. My attorney is here, so we're going to -- what page is that? >> is that a typo? >> It could be. What page is that? You don't even know the page, do you? >> It was actually 4-3. >> Page 2 31. Now, he's got me looking at my own book. This is a typo. That's impossible. There are some things in the book that -- believe me -- no. It was a typo. >> Hey, Jose. 54 Firstoff, what's the real story with you and Madonna? What actually happened? >> Have you read the book yet, son? >> I read the book but the media's not hearing everything, man. There has to be something else to it. >> Exactly, what exactly has been written in the book is word-for-word exactly what happened. That is no lie. I will not sit there and say I had an affair with her, we had sex, that's ridiculous. I mean, she's a great person. >> One other question. You said a lot since you have been quoting the book in the last few months, 55 that you changed your stance on a lot of issues, you know longer believe all the things you said in the book. If that's the case, why are you still promoting a message you don't believe in? >> you have to understand, this book was two years in the actual making and two years ago, I may have changed my mind about a few things. Two years is a very long time. Really speaking more with a lot of the parents of these children that, I know a few who have committed suicide on steroids or coming off steroids, I definitely am in a position I analyzed and thought about it a 56 whole lot more and I don't really recommend it to anyone at all. There's not enough information out there about it. Doctors will say, okay, steroids can do this, that, this, that, this, but they're illegal so there are really no human experimentations with this drug. >> why are you still promoting the book if you don't believe in these messages? >> the book tells -- I think everyone is focussing on the steroid issue. The book has a tremendous human interest story. the media, right when it came out because of the timing of the book because 57 Giambi came out saying he used steroids, just concentrate on the straight issue, they didn't really concentrate why steroids were actually being used. >> Mr. Canseco, I'm just wondering, I was watching Hannity and Colmes about a month ago on fox. I remember you saying something within a month's time you would release guaranteed evidence, 100% that would state that the players such as Yvonne Rodriguez, Palmeiro, you had 100% evidence that would be released in a month or so Do you still plan on releasing this evidence to back your word? >> part of it was 58 testifying before Congress. If you think about it, unless you have a picture of a needle going into one of these gentlemen's gluteus Maximus muscle, there really is no evidence unless something is set up regarding a polygraph examination, which could be in the making. >> Also, as far as players, there's a lot of players that show up for spring training, 25, 30 pounds lighter this year. I saw Rodriguez in person. He showed up about 30 pounds lighter than I've seen him in the peace. He said this is the result of a workout am program, not likely, he's working out hard enough to lose 30 pounds of muscle. 59 Do you have any comment to this what so ever? >> basically, the muscle that you can put on by these steroids, if you discontinue steroids and in an improper way, you can possibly lose that same amount of bulk. That could be the result of just a clean body. >> yes, sir thank you for coming out tonight. I notice you have your lawyer here and I'm a first year law student here. My question was, when you violated your house arrest and you decided to throw yourself at the mercy of the court, was that your own idea or your attorney's? >> which time? 60 With more specific. You're an attorney, I need a proper question here. You -- issue >> when you were thrown in jail most recently. >> you mean the time when I was under house arrest. >> yes. >> And they urine test med and found a me tab bo light of a steroid in my system. This is one problem we well have with the steroid testing issues right now I said I was a perfect example of this. If player is tested today and they find a strong me tab bo lite of steroid in their system it could be misconstrued as he's taking steroid is in the present and he could be somehow 61 either fined or stopped from playing baseball, which it's a very delicate position. I was in that position Finally after three months in jails the prosecutors realized we proved it was a Metabolite in the past. If you take steroids five, six, seven straight years, it will stay iron system so much longer than if you just use it for six months. >> Why didn't you plead not guilty? >> What's that? >> when you went into your hearing after your house arrest, why didn't you contest it if you were so certain of this? >> we did. We did. but it took the court 62 system three months, I spent three months in jail before they finally realized I was innocent. I actually did, from day one. The system is very slow when it wants to be. if you're an attorney, you know that. >> like I said before, I'm a first semester law student. >> Okay. >> Mr. Canseco, thanks for a coming. First of all, the new baseball policy is basically five strikes for the commissioner who actually say that you're out. And they don't test for 63 human growth hormone through your blood. My question is, up until they actually catch one of the marquee players, like let's say Alex Rodriguez, Sammy Sosa, somebody along that, they actually start to bite down, do you think they will start biting down on the steroid policy? Right now, it's pretty much easy >> if major league baseball is left unchecked, meaning they have no supervision whatsoever, nothing will change. Their testing is full of holes. Doesn't hold water, makes no sense. They test a clean player, they know he's obviously 64 clean 50 times. They say we tested 50 individual play ers Unless Congress steps in and supervises this, it will be a joke. You also mentioned something in the sense of human growth hormones. Right now, there's no detection for it. nonetheless, if there is a detection for it, it's through the blood. Major league baseball players association ha not authorized their players to take blood tests. >> one more question. My friends and I want to know which team was the most with juiced That you played on? >> that's tough one. I would say the Texas 65 rangers, no doubt. >> Jose, you said that the media is racist. I'd like to know if a white journal reports on a Hispanic public figure's domestic violence arrest, is that journal racist? if not, what evidence do you actually have that says the media is racist? >> I said the media holds at that time a major double standard. You have to remember, this was 20, 25 years ago, this actually happened. If you're going to sit there and tell me that double standards and racism do not exist, you and I cannot interject an intelligent conversation. >> I'd just like some 66 scientific proof other than stories written about you. >> obviously there is no scientific proof or physical evidence we know. >> Mr. Canseco? >> yes. >> Thanks for coming. I've been watching you since you played for the A's when I grew up in Oakland. I was here about a good three hours before this speech began just to see you. And I was just wondering if it's no big trouble if you can just sign this ball I brought? >> Sure. Bring it down. Don't throw it down. [ Applause ] 67 Security, check him for weapons, please. He might be hiding something in those pants he's got. [ Applause ] >> this is not scripted or planned, by the way >> How about an 8 by 10? He's shaking like a leaf. [ Applause ] >> is he a student? >> Nope >> He's one of the teachers, right? Anyone else? >> Mr. Canseco, as a Latino -- >> Say something in 68 Spanish. >> Okay. (speak Spanish) >> what's that? I got you. >> How do you view yourself in the Latino community right now with all the publicity surrounding your book? >> I don't know. That's probably for the public to answer. Sometimes the way you view yourself isn't really what is. Everyone will view you differently, whether in the baseball world or just in general public. So, that might be a good question to ask a group of people around you. Did I answer that one for you? 69 >> Well (speaking foreign language) >> they're great. >> I'd like to hear your views on that. >> Hopefully not in Spanish. >> I mean, you know, the Latino community, especially those following baseball for years, I really want to support you regardless. >> My book is coming out in Spanish, too, so they can read that. >> I think you that sand past one of the reasons you wanted to continue playing baseball was to reach 500 more runs which would have solidified your place as a great player If you would have reached 70 500 home runs one would you have written this book or already know you would have been remembered by everybody so you wouldn't have to do something like this? >> That's actually a very good question. Probably somewhere around the end of my career, since I've had -- you have to understand I've had such a fascinating life, I consider myself always an entertainer, not just a baseball player. So many things have happened to me, I accomplished so many things on baseball on and off the field, I've experienced so many different issues in life, probably, it would have to depended on how the 71 steroid issue would have progressed. For example, if steroids would become a norm, meaning if every player would have been using steroids, I mean, eventually when I was retired I would have definitely written a book about it. >> yeah, Jose. I want to say first of all, I really do respect how much -- how much change your book has been able to bring about in terms of baseball in just a short amount of time since it's been out there. >> Thank you. >> The question I have, I remember three years ago, you were on the Jim RoWEn 72 show right after you officially retired. The comment you made at that time, when you tried to get back into the game, a lot of the people you considered your friends and considered themselves your friends over the years, when you talked with them, wouldn't, you know, wouldn't give you the time of day basically. >> Absolutely >> the . that you made then was when you write this book, you were going to name names and bring them out in the open. I guess with regard to the . you made earlier, that you didn't mean to bring their names into it, I was just wondering how one went 73 with the other, if you were still in the game today, if they had coming through for you, if you were still playing with the dodgers, would this book be out right now? >> you guys ask multiple questions. >> It's just one question, just a long one. >> You're right about that. I remember three years ago, I never wanted to acknowledge this to myself or accept the fact I was being black balled from the game. I remember at one point in time, players would not talk to me, they would not come near me. A few players, I remember I was in a Dan Marino am 4 in western Florida, someone 74 came up to me and said, ho say, you're being black balled from the game. You know what I said, I know, I don't want to talk about it. The next day I played in the Alex Fernandez charity pro-am, he said the identical thing, you're being black-balled from the game. Baseball tends to take care of its problems internally At that time every player in major league baseball knew what was going on in my career, every player knew I was being black balled. Every player knew at that time technically, brought steroids in, educated the athletes whether it be how to take steroid is an 75 certain way, whether it be nutrition associated with it, whether it be certain weight lifting techniques, whether it be explosive techniques to run a 40. Players wanted to do what I was doing, hitting 500 home runs and stealing basis. They tried to emulate me. At this point in time, you're absolutely right, every player at the major league level knew what was going on. Major league baseball was in one sense trying to send a message to the rest of the players after they lost control of the steroid issue completely and lost control of the salary structure saying, you know what we're going to get Jose out, he brought it in, 76 we're going to get him out and send a signal to the rest of the players. They made a big mistake. They never got to know me as a person. They never communicated with me. If the owners and the players combined would have said, listen ho say, we know what you did to the game before the game, we're trying to restructure and change it, how can we do it, help us, I would have gladly helped them. The route they took, black balling me and destroying my career and my livelihood, I mean, I'll tell them straight to their face, they're messing with the wrong guy. 77 [ Applause ] >> Jose, welcome to Gainesville. I have the pleasure to see you many a night at Don Carter kennel lanes bowling late into the night. With such sports as bowling golf and tennis not really being the focus of steroid investigation, you do mention it in your book that eventually, steroids will change the landscape and be in all sports. How much are they involved in such sports, in your opinion, such as bowling, golf, tennis, and what do you see in the future? >> I think people laugh but people have a huge misconception of what steroids really are. 78 I think people associate bulk and muscle with steroids, but there are specific steroids. These sports you mention are more of stamina sports, meaning a Pro Bowler for example. I bowl a lot I know what kind of strain it has on my arm and the physical wear and tear it has on your body. There are certain steroids that can cut a recuperation time in half and help your ailments. Every sport possible, which incorporates, you know, stamina, flexibility, lean muscles, steroids have been or will be used. Now, keep in mind that this book was written e over a two year period. 79 Steroids are going to become obsolete. I truly believe in the next year or so they will become obsolete now, you have to deal with cloning, you have to deal with Gene doping. You have to deal with genetically altering children at birth. Evolution is here. No one's going to stop it. We are a society who is constantly striving for the future to become bigger, faster, stronger, and trying to find better methods of actually doing it. >> Ho say, is that lot shorter question. What was your most embarrassing moment in baseball? 80 >> I've had a few. Let me see. I would probably say, you know, it wasn't really embarrassing right off my head but it was funny. it was funny because I can remember it vividly when it happened and when it did happen I didn't realize the ball had gone over the fence. I'm 6'4", this fence might be eight or nine feet tall, as it bounces of I ricochetted off the wall and looking on the ground and look to my right, my center fielder was on the ground laughing. This guy is in tears just laughing. Just laughing. And when I watched him, I'm thinking okay, if the ball 81 Rick shade off the wall, he should be trying to grab it and throwing it in. He's sitting there laughing at me. I realized the ball went off my head, over the fence, it happened so fast, we just laughed. It wet wasn't really embarrassing, like I did the 40 40, the first player to do it, the first player to hit a ball over the fence with my head. What do you know? I've done a few things out there. >> I was just wondering if you feel at all regretful for I guess tarnishing the images of numerous baseball players in the league and also maybe causing irreparable harm to their 82 images? >> people have to understand if it was a focus on just one individual player, for example the focus a few years ago was with major league baseball and the players association behind closed doors was to focus on me, get me out of the game. That damaged me absolutely When this issue came out to light and there were so many people involved, I don't think this issue attacked just one individual, it was a wheel group of individuals who took the brunt of the attack. Like I said before, the main individuals, the main villains here I tried to 83 attack was major league baseball and the players association. it was never the players. I needed one of the players to come out and back me out which they did not because major league baseball is that powerful. >> I give you credit for coming out and admitting to steroid use. Don't you think it should be up to them to come out and admit theirselves, nights really your place to say? >> do you think they're going to come out and admit to it >> excuse me? >> do you think they're going to come out on their own and admit it to? never. 84 >> a couple have. >> No. They would never have done this. A couple of the individuals did because they knew the timing of the book, they knew when it was coming out. It was leaked through the media my book was coming out in a more-or-less certain period of time. Sometimes it's better for them to admit they did, for example Mark McGwire testified before Congress not giving any answers whatsoever. I think that was very improbable. >> Hello, Mr. Canseco. I'm about to pull a trigger on a fantasy baseball deal that could make or break my 85 season. I wanted to get your input. I'm thinking of trading Scott Rowland and Todd Helton for Adrian Belcher and another, before I make the huge investment that could carry my season, I want your opinion whether those players will be taking unpaid ten day vacations? >> I think you're safe with those play ers I'll tell you something about Beltran. He had a career year last year, I don't think he's going to duplicate that again, if that can help you any. >> Thank you, sir. Just a quick follow-up, the last guy touched on it, 86 sorry to bring it back up, you were talking earlier how steroids can help hand-eye coordination, certain things like that, I certainly agree with you, had it not been for steroids, do you think the ball would have stayed in the yard in Texas? >> It's hard to say. I know for myself, it definitely made me -- gave me more stamina, made me stronger. I think for myself, I had a psychological effect. I was a different animal than any of the other players because I -- I don't think I could have physically stood up to the day in day out trauma that the body takes without them. 87 >> from personal experience, can you explain some of the negative side effects of steroids and if you have any particular favorites? >> I have not encountered, like they say, steroids give you rage, pimples. >> ball shrinkage. >> at least you got it right. >> Some penis shrinkage, no, that doesn't do that >> but there is shrinkage of the balls? >> who wants big balls anyways, you know? you don't use them for anything. 88 >> my question is, you said that all athletes have the ability and that's why they're where they're at. Are you admitting by taking steroids, you didn't have what it takes to be where you're at or did you have to stake steroids to get there? >> what I'm saying is physically because I had so many problems at the high school level, I don't know if, for myself medically, if my body could have with stood the pressures of the game then. Even then, with the steroid use, I already had four major back surgeries, elbow surgery, hand surgery. It's impossible to tell. >> you don't know if you would be where you're at? 89 is its because of the steroids you are here today? >> it could be medically. Definitely needed them. It could be. >> I have two part question, totally unrelated One, I wanted to know what was your motivation or what was going through your mind a couple of years ago when you invited two people to your house and they paid you some ungodly amount of money to hang out with you, and my other question is if you hooked up with anybody on the surreal life. >> The first question, it actually started out as a joke. It actually started out like, I'm under house 90 arrest, I can't go anywhere, I can't do anything, so, you know, just to kind of spike the -- stimulate a little bit, yeah, I'll bring people to my house, we'll have a party here and have fun. One of my promoters at the time said, ding-ding-ding, why don't we invite people here to come to your house and, you know, they can spend the day with ho say. It started out with a joke and it turned into I said, I'm here in my house doing nothing, we might as well do it. The other issue about surreal life -- watch the show -- there goes my attorney again. It's best for you to watch 91 the show because I'll be honest with you, it's going to be the most fascinating interesting best ratings ever, I mean, you might even see me in a speedo. >> she's will be the last two questions. >> Please. >> My question is, Barry Bonds hasn't admitted to using steroids but he says he thought he was taking an arthritis cream and flaxseed oil. I want to know does that sound as ridiculous to you as it does to me and would any personal trainer actually give Barry Bonds steroids and not tell him about it. >> To answer that question, you have to understand the 92 mind of an athlete, nonetheless a super athlete like Barry bonds. Us as athletes don't put anything into our bodies we don't know what it is. Absolutely not. If we're injecting any chemical, any substance, any pill we take, we know exactly what it is. If he says he didn't know what he was rubbing into his skin, just took a cream from anybody and they said, here, rub it in, it will help you hit, I can't swallow that. >> ho say, they won't let me use the microphone, I'd like to ask, were you on steroids during [ Inaudible ] and if so, do you think there should be 93 an asterisk next to your name in then record books. Hey, I was on steroids, so my 40-40 is for you to decide. But you are my hero, as an 8-year-old, and 22 years old and I'm still [ Inaudible ] so this question is for you. >> Well, if you look at what I accomplished, at 2 45 pounds, I was the fastest guy in the big leagues. And no one can compete -- I was actually a football player playing baseball. I had incredible speed, incredible torque for my first two steps and obviously, I was on steroids, definitely. An asterisk, you know, that's not for me to 94 decide. I really don't care what major league baseball does with it. >> would you say yes to that asterisk by your name or no? >> I'm saying I really don't care what they do with it. It's up to major league baseball. that's out of my jurisdiction. >> ho say, thank you very much for coming out tonight. I brought my 10-year-old son so he could hear you speak. My question is to today's youth, what too we say to them when their heroes are just others who haven't 95 come out yet about steroid use >> I agree with you It's very simple I have an 8-year-old daughter and my daughter's heroes are going to be myself and her mother. That's where I think parents fail. Parents have to speak with their children, communicate with their children and children have to understand that you nurture them, you feed them, you take care of them, bring them up. You as parents, they should look up to you. I don't know what's going on in society today where children are just looking for, you know, supplemental heroes, but parents need to do a better job with their 96 children, spend more time, educate them, talk to them, be their friends so that kids look to them. >> Thank you. [ Applause ] >> Is it over? 9:17 P.M.