Jose Canseco:
‘This book is
devastating’

The term shock-jock has taken on a whole new meaning since Jose Canseco's book, “Juiced,” hit the shelves. Canseco's allegations of rampant steroid use has stunned the world of baseball.  The former MVP and six-time all-star admits that steroids were the key to his success, but he doesn't stop there.  He also names some of baseball's most recognizable superstars as steroid users, including former home-run king Mark McGwire and current Yankee Jason Giambi. Since the release of his book, Canseco's been called a liar and a cheat. But it's baseball's reputation that now has fans talking. “Today” host Matt Lauer talks with Canseco about the book and his allegations.

Matt Lauer: Surprised by the reaction to the book?

Jose Canseco:  None whatsoever. It's extremely hard to believe what's been going on in Major League Baseball for the last 10 to 15 years. But something will occur in the next month or so that will prove my book 100 percent accurate.

Lauer:  What's that?  What will occur?

Canseco:  We'll have to wait and see.

Lauer:  Let me give you some reaction. You name names in this book, and that's created the most controversy. Jason Giambi called your book delusional and farfetched. Mark McGwire said, "Once and for all I did not use steroids nor any illegal substance. I feel sorry to see someone turn to such drastic measures to accomplish a personal agenda at the expense of so many." And your former manager at Oakland, Tony LaRussa, had this to say:

”I'm embarrassed that I was a manager of yours and that I couldn't have shed more of a professional light and a personal light on how you should conduct yourself.  You know, you're staining the guy.  You're doing it for whatever your personal motivations are.  And for people that say, ‘Well, there may be truth to it,’ there isn't any truth to it.”

Lauer:  So they're calling you a liar, a traitor, a person motivated by greed. Was this book worth it?

Canseco:  Well, I don't think [they] have really read this book completely because there is a huge human interest story involved here. Basically the book is on my life and what a minority athlete has to go through, what he has to deal with, nonetheless, the steroid issue.  Obviously, these individuals will deny this 100 percent. Tony LaRussa will definitely deny it because obviously Mark McGwire was part of the Oakland A's, which made Tony LaRussa one of the most well-known managers. Then Tony LaRussa wasn't involved in any way, shape or form [in getting] Mark McGwire over to the Cardinals and turned that organization into what it is today.

Lauer:  I talked to people about this, Jose, and they have one of two things to say. They say either Jose Canseco is purely out for money, that he's a guy who needs money, has shown in the past he's willing to do certain things to get money and this is all about selling books and he doesn't care whose reputation he tarnishes.  How do you feel about that?

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