Fernando Tatis Jr. speaks to reporters for the first time since MLB suspended him for PED use.
Earlier today, Tuesday 23, Tatis Jr. spoke to the press and delivered personal remarks regarding the unexpected and shocking result of testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug.
"I'm truly sorry. I have let so many people down. I have lost so much love from people. I have failed," Tatis said. "I'm going to remember what this feels like, and I'm not going to put myself in this position ever again. I know I have a lot of love that I have to recover. I have a lot of work to do, it will be a very long process. I'm learning, I'm maturing," he added.
At this moment, The San Diego Padres are currently holding the final National League wild-card spot for this season's hopes at a World Series title.
And if the Padres make the post-season, they will have to make a playoff run without their all-star shortstop and simply the best overall baseball player on their roster, as Tatis Jr. is serving his 80 game suspension that will run into next season.
During today's public statement to the press, Tatis Jr. made sure his apologies were loud and clear to all Padres fans, the organization, and his family. The Dominican star says he is holding himself accountable more than anything.
"There is no one else to blame but myself. I made a mistake," he said Tuesday.
Before the suspension came about earlier this month, Padres fans were already waiting for him to come back to the lineup due to a wrist injury from a motorcycle accident he was involved in during the off-season.
When the suspension took place earlier this month, Padres General Manager AJ Preller said the organization will work on being able to fully trust Fernando going forward, as they are now concerned about the pattern of issues they've had to deal with regarding the baseball star.
"And obviously with the news today, it's more of a pattern and something we've got to dig a little bit more into. I'm sure he's very disappointed, but at the end of the day, it's one thing to say it. You have to start by showing it with your actions," AJ Preller said in a previous interview.
