For the first time since admitting to using steroids, New York Yankees third basemen Alex Rodriquez held a press conference Tuesday and apologized once again to his fans.

The visibly emotional Rodriquez opened the question and answer session at the Yankees? spring training facility with a statement, apologizing to his supporters and teammates for using steroids from 2001 to 2003 while he played for the Texas Rangers.

Rodriquez acknowledged that he and his cousin had been injecting themselves with illegal substances for nearly two years, and blamed the usage on his youth. Rodriquez insisted that he has been clean since 2003.

?God has put me in a position, a forum, where my voice can be heard,? he said. ?And I hope kids will not make the same mistake I made.?

Some Yankees? fans in Connecticut say despite A-Rod?s history with steroids, they will continue to support him.

?I've been a big fan of A-Rod for a long time, and I always thought of him as the big homerun hitter,? said fifth-grader Liam Gallagher, of Darien. ?Him taking steroids to make himself stronger is kind of disappointing.?

Gallagher adds, however, that he still remains a fan of Rodriguez and the Yankees.

To view video from the press conference, go to Channel 612 on your iO digital cable box and select iO Extra.