The Major League Baseball world was stunned when it was announced that San Diego Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr. had been suspended for 80 games after violating the league’s PED policy. After weeks of making up excuses and passing blame, the slugger has finally offered an apology to his teammates and fans.
Tatis Jr. met with reporters on Tuesday to offer his thoughts.
“I’m truly sorry…I’m really sorry. I have let so many people down,” said Tatis Jr. “I have lost so much love from people. I have failed.
“I’ve failed to the front office of the San Diego Padres…I have failed to every fan of this city. I’ve failed to my country. I’ve failed my family, my parents. I’m really sorry for my mistakes. I’ve seen how my dreams have turned into my worst nightmares.”
Fernando Tatis Jr: “I’m truly sorry…I have let so many people down. I have lost so much love from people. I have failed.” pic.twitter.com/bgaCBo7DKt
— Darnay Tripp (@DarnayTripp) August 23, 2022
“There’s no other one to blame but myself,” he added, which is quite the change of tune from previous excuses, which included his father saying to reporters that a bad haircut was to blame.
Tatis now says that he took Trofobol to deal with a skin infection and that it was not prescribed to him by the Padres’ medical staff.
It’s been reported that many of Tatis Jr.’s teammates were “livid” with him, while others in the baseball community have chastised the league for coming down so hard on the young player.
Along with his apology, Tatis Jr. also announced that he would be having surgery on his injured shoulder, with the hope that it would be healed up by the time his suspension is over early in the 2023 MLB season.
Tatis was clearly contrite on Tuesday and his remorseful apology garnered some big reactions from the MLB community afterward.
Oh wow. Didn't expect that. Good for him. That was ridiculous. Plenty of time to heal before May 2023. https://t.co/DFgjcOwPKU
— Nick Lee (@NickLee51) August 23, 2022
That’s a lot pain and anguish I see in those eyes. I’m hoping it’s genuine and he has truly learned his lesson and is ready to get his career on the right track. Opting for the shoulder surgery is a good step forward. I’m still behind you, @tatis_jr. I have all the faith in you. pic.twitter.com/cASIziWgsV
— Patrick Dailey (@PatrickDailey) August 23, 2022