Fernando Tatis Jr. apologizes to Padres, fans after PED ban: ‘I have failed’
Fernando Tatis Jr. took his first step toward making amends with the Padres and their fans.
The star shortstop apologized profusely on Tuesday in San Diego as he met the media for the first time since his 80-game suspension following a failed PED test.
“I’m truly sorry, I am,” the 23-year-old shortstop said at Petco Park. “I’m really sorry. I have so many people I failed. I failed all them.”
Tatis went on to say that he failed the Padres organization, the fans of the city, his country and his family, reiterating how sorry he was for his “mistakes.” He had already not played a game this season for San Diego due to a fractured wrist he suffered during a motorcycle accident this past December and won’t take the field again until the 2024 campaign after testing positive for the anabolic steroid Clostebol.
“I’ve seen how my dreams have turned into my worst nightmares, a couple days, a couple months. But there is no other one to blame but myself,” Tatis said.
Tatis, who announced he will be getting shoulder surgery he previously opted out of, said he tested positive in June and had been taking medication for a skin infection. The excuse lines up with his original statement after the suspension that the drug in question was part of treatment for ringworm.
Tatis also addressed his Padres teammates as a group for the first time since the suspension and pitcher Joe Musgrove told reporters he thought Tatis did a good job explaining the situation. Musgrove said he told Tatis that the most important people are the ones in the Padres clubhouse.
“I know it’s not an easy conversation to have,” said Musgrove, who called the 15-20 minute players-only meeting, during which he said Tatis showed remorse. “For him to come in, face the team face to face and be honest with us and let us know what happened I think that’s what everyone wanted, just a little bit of clarity.
“It was some tough love to an extent. Obviously, everyone’s got a different perspective on it and different feelings on it all but this is something … people make mistakes, man. It’s something we’re definitely not going to hold over his head for the rest of his career.”
The Padres had been hoping to pair Tatis this season with superstar slugger Juan Soto, whom they acquired from the Nationals at the trade deadline. But that will have to wait.
San Diego is invested long-term in Tatis as he signed a 14-year, $340 million contract last February. He hit .282 with 42 home runs, 97 RBIs and a .975 OPS in 2021.