Rays manager Joe Maddon believes Alex Rodriguez's past steroid use has tempered national interest in his race towards 600 home runs. "Because of all the subplots involved, I think that's why you're not getting as much of a build-up," Maddon said Thursday. "I don't think that it's worn off. I think when Jim Thome arrives nearer that point you're going to see the same kind of previous build-up, I believe, as an example. I think based on the revelations of the last couple years, I think it probably detracts from it a bit."