Already the highest-paid player, Alex Rodriguez wanted to prove himself one of the greatest. Instead, he wound up atop another list: the highest-profile player to confess to cheating in Major League Baseball's steroids era.

Alex Rodriguez AP PHOTO

The All-Star New York Yankees third baseman, responding to a Feb. 7 Sports Illustrated report that he flunked a 2003 drug test, told ESPN on Feb. 9 he used banned substances while playing with the Texas Rangers from 2001-03 to justify his 10-year, $252 million contract. The Yankees gave Rodriguez a 10-year, $275 million contract in 2007.

"Back then it was a different culture," Rodriguez said. "It was very loose. I was young. I was stupid. I was naive, and I wanted to prove to everyone that, you know, I was worth, you know — and being one of the greatest players of all time."

He said he didn't do it before that and quit during spring training in 2003, before the first of three AL MVP seasons, because "I've proved to myself and to everyone that I don't need any of that." He was traded to the Yankees before the 2004 season and said he hasn't used anything since.

The 2003 drug test results weren't subject to discipline and were supposed to remain anonymous.

"And I did take a banned substance and, you know, for that I'm very sorry and deeply regretful."

Though Rodriguez said he experimented with a number of substances, he never provided details.

SI reported he tested positive for Primobolan and testosterone.

The 33-year-old Rodriguez ranks 12th on the career list with 553 homers, 209 behind Barry Bonds' record 762.