When Johnny Damon expressed relief in 2013 at never using PEDs, unlike Alex Rodriguez

Johnny Damon spent three years with Alex Rodriguez at the New York Yankees. While the pair seemed to be good mates, they did not go down the same road.

"On this day in 2009…" - Johnny Damon via Instagram

During an interview with MLB Network Radio on Sirius XM in 2013, Johnny spoke about A-Rod's PED scandal among other topics. He referred to A-Rod’s stint in the MLB as a soap opera and said he was grateful that he was never in the same position as Alex, wherein he resorted to using PEDs.

"It's a soap opera," Damon told The News. "It always has been with Alex. I'm just glad I get to sleep at night knowing I never got involved with that stuff."

Anything remotely connected to PEDs resulted in Alex’s name coming up in conversation, Damon remarked.

Alex Rodriguez #13 of the New York Yankees talks with Curtis Granderson #14 during batting practice against the Minnesota Twins during Game Three of the ALDS part of the 2010 MLB Playoffs at Yankee Stadium on October 9, 2010 in the Bronx borough of New York City

Damon also said the Yankees’ 2009 World Series title would be diminished if it was proven that Alex used performance-enhancing drugs to smash his way to a .365 postseason average and a club-record 18 RBI through three playoff series. At the time, Rodriguez was suspended for 211 games, but the Players Association appealed the ban.

"I really haven't gotten to think that far, but if that's how he was able to hit in the postseason, like he did that year, then yeah, absolutely," Damon said. "Then you start going, 'Was anybody on (another) team cheating?' There's just so many different factors that determine if a team wins, and A-Rod was a huge determining factor. He played a pretty huge part."

Reacting to Damon’s comments, Rodriguez stated that they were still friends regardless of what was said.

“Would have to talk to Johnny. I talk to Johnny all the time. No disappointment whatsoever. Thanks. We're right in the middle of it. I do love Johnny; he's my good friend."

"Nine years ago today, Alex Rodriguez was suspended 211 games by MLB for his role in the Biogenesis PED scandal." - FanDuel via Twitter

Alex Rodriguez cited his multi-million dollar contract with the Rangers for his PED use

Alex Rodriguez, a former Yankees star, admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs in an interview with federal agents and cited the $252 million contract he signed with the Rangers in 2001 for doing so.

"When I arrived in Texas in 2001, I felt an enormous amount of pressure. I felt like I had all the weight of the world on top of me and I needed to perform, and perform at a high level every day," Rodriguez told ESPN's Peter Gammons in an exclusive interview in Miami Beach, FL.

A-Rod confessed to using numerous testosterone-laced products, including lozenges, known as “gummies”, as reported by the Miami Herald.

A-Rod was suspended from the league for 211 games and fined for his actions. It, more importantly, tainted his superstar status in the league.

"Alex Rodriguez says his PED suspension cost him his reputation and more than $40 million http://ble.ac/2xFkRgU" - Bleacher Report, Twitter