In news that is in no way shocking or surprising, Sports Illustrated reported that Alex Rodriguez tested positive for steroids in 2003, the year he won the MVP and led the league in round-trippers.

A-Rod was one of 104 players who tested positive that year as part of Major League Baseball’s survey testing program. The program was set up to determine if there were enough steroid users to warrant additional testing and punishments. Well crafted, Mr. Selig.

When asked about his positive test, A-Rod deferred to the union and stated “I’m not saying anything.”

Since baseball had no penalties for steroid use in 2003, there is little that could ever come of this, other than the damage to the reputation and legacy of Rodriguez. Back in 2003, baseball was still trying to hide its association with steroids and considered them “illegal,” but not a punishable offense.

More from SI:

Though MLB’s drug policy has expressly prohibited the use of steroids without a valid prescription since 1991, there were no penalties for a positive test in 2003. The results of that year’s survey testing of 1,198 players were meant to be anonymous under the agreement between the commissioner’s office and the players association. Rodriguez’s testing information was found, however, after federal agents, armed with search warrants, seized the ‘03 test results from Comprehensive Drug Testing, Inc., of Long Beach, Calif., one of two labs used by MLB in connection with that year’s survey testing. The seizure took place in April 2004 as part of the government’s investigation into 10 major league players linked to the BALCO scandal — though Rodriguez himself has never been connected to BALCO.

The list of the 104 players whose urine samples tested positive is under seal in California. However, two sources familiar with the evidence that the government has gathered in its investigation of steroid use in baseball and two other sources with knowledge of the testing results have told Sports Illustrated that Rodriguez is one of the 104 players identified as having tested positive, in his case for testosterone and an anabolic steroid known by the brand name Primobolan. All four sources spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the evidence.

Baseball changed its rules after the 2003 season, based on the fact that more than five percent of the players tested tested positive for the juice. That led to mandatory, random testing in 2004 with real penalties.

The Mitchell Report may have also indicated that players like A-Rod were getting a little help from others to not test positive after 2003.

Says SI:

According to the 2007 Mitchell Report on steroid use in baseball, in September 2004, Gene Orza, the chief operating officer of the players’ union, violated an agreement with MLB by tipping off a player (not named in the report) about an upcoming, supposedly unannounced drug test. Three major league players who spoke to SI said that Rodriguez was also tipped by Orza in early September 2004 that he would be tested later that month. Rodriguez declined to respond on Thursday when asked about the warning Orza provided him.

At this point, baseball has lost an entire era. Despite having just one great home run season, Barry Bonds will never be viewed the same as other baseball players, historically. Now throw in A-Rod. Roger Clemens’ career has been tarnished.

And once again, “where have you gone Joe Dimaggio? A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.” The era of heros in baseball is over.

Steroids or not, people will never accept that Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens and Alex Rodriguez are among the most talented baseball players ever to live. The steroids may have helped, but the talent remains. Its a shame that they won’t be remembered for just how good they all are/were. There are no more Joe Dimaggios.

“What’s that you say, Mrs. Robinson? Joltin’ Joe has left and gone away?”

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