And for all the ways in which Rodriguez has struggled with his public image, teammates and people around the game certainly won't help him now that he's become the latest poster boy for all that went wrong in the steroids era.

Basically it's going to be tee-off time on A-Rod all season.

While you have to acknowledge this time he's far from alone in his transgression and people should temper their judgments with the knowledge plenty of parties share the blame for the steroid era, the criticism will be as warranted as ever.

Bud Selig accurately said Rodriguez "shamed" the game along with all the other performance-enhancing users (though no one provided as much shame as Selig, whose job it was to oversee that era). Players from around the game, such as Astros star pitcher Roy Oswalt, have already taken the chance to rip Rodriguez, and fans and media will do the same all season. Even Yankees general manager Brian Cashman acknowledged to reporters he can't be confident that A-Rod -- or anyone -- is clean any more.

Rodriguez, as usual, didn't exactly help himself in his initial discussion of the issue on ESPN, when he offered half-answers and a full-blown attack on Selena Roberts, the reporter who broke the story (along with some claims she was "stalking" him that have not been backed up by police).

Usually the Rodriguez circus comes with a bit of a chuckle and a shake of the head at how he gets himself into messes, but this one is obviously a lot more serious and can't be laughed off.

WHERE, WHEN: George M. Steinbrenner Field (formerly Legends Field), Tampa, Fla. First exhibition game is Feb. 25 against Toronto at Dunedin, Fla.

TOP CANDIDATE TO SURPRISE: LHP Andy Pettitte has had his pride wounded, and his pay cut well beyond what he initially took as an insult. This also is likely his last season and, as Mike Mussina proved last year, a veteran used to success can show some amazing will to adjust when he needs to most. Pettitte has plenty of incentive (financial, contract-based and competitor-based) to show the Yankees may have considered him as an afterthought, back-end pitcher, but he isn't ready to fit into that small a role.

TOP CANDIDATE TO DISAPPOINT: RHP A.J. Burnett put together a strong season last year with his 18 victories, but his injury-riddled past could cause problems. While Burnett cheerfully revealed during his introductory press conference that he thinks he's in better shape to handle physical problems, it wouldn't be a complete shock to see a highly paid Yankees pitcher fall far short of expectations after what has happened the last few seasons (see: Carl Pavano).

AUTHORITY FIGURES: Manager Joe Girardi will have plenty of ammunition at his disposal on the field but will have to deflect some of it after a shaky first year with the New York media, a season in which the club's 13-year string of making the postseason was broken. Girardi guided the 2008 Yankees to an 89-73 record (and has an overall mark of 167-157, including his year with the Marlins) but will be under greater scrutiny after the Yankees stocked up on big-name free agents CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Mark Teixeira. Girardi's strict style in the clubhouse and sometimes deceptive style with the media led to criticism, and even general manager Brian Cashman has acknowledged he needs improvement this season. The honeymoon period should certainly end if the club struggles with the revamped roster.