A-Rod: Where's the statistical evidence? 
I keep reading that Alex Rodriguez's play in Texas -- where from 2001 through 2003, when A-Rod has admitted juicing, he blasted 52, 57 and 47 home runs -- shows the boost that steroids can give hitters. And the idea that he should forfeit those dingers, or at least the portion of them that appears abnormal, seems to be catching on.
It's time to put these ideas to rest. Each of us will have to decide how much we think it's appropriate to discount A-Rod's career performance for his use of performance-enhancing drugs. But the numbers don't show he got any help at all.
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Peter Keating
Keating's blog covers the world of statistics and analytics. He will examine concepts for evaluating athletes and teams across all sports, not just those commonly associated with sabermetrics. He'll introduce researchers who are developing sports analytical tools. And he will present and examine "Next Level" findings from ESPN -- data analysis that goes beyond official statistics to explain strategies and performance.
Keating is a senior writer at ESPN the Magazine, where he has covered investigative and financial stories since 1999. He coordinates The Mag's annual "Ultimate Standings" project, which ranks all pro franchises according to how much they give back to fans. His work on concussions in football has earned awards from the Deadline Club, the New York Press Club and the Center for the Study of Sport in Society.
As an athlete, Keating has always combined the speed of Lou Piniella with the glovework of Darryl Strawberry, two childhood favorites. He lives in Montclair, N.J., with his wife, Karen, and their daughters, Eleanor and Samantha.
E-mail Peter: pkeating.nj@verizon.net or follow him on Twitter: @PKStatsBlog.