Alex Rodriguez went 1-for-4 yesterday in his first game back with the New York Yankees, hours after Major League Baseball's (MLB) commissioner's officer suspended the third baseman through the 2014 season for his involvement in the Biogenesis case.
Despite his return, Rodriguez could not help New York, losing 8-1 to the Chicago White Sox, who snapped a 10-game losing streak against the struggling Yankees.
"We're just getting started in this process," said Rodriguez after the game. "But for me, personally, I just want to get back to baseball, playing hard and playing with a lot of intensity. I just want to see what our team has to offer."
Rodriguez, a three-time Most Valuable Player award winner, was suspended for 211 games - through the 2014 season by MLB commissioner Bud Selig under the league's drug program policies for "use and possession of numerous forms of prohibited performance-enhancing substances, including testosterone and human growth hormone, over the course of multiple years" and for "attempting to cover-up his violations of the program by engaging in a course of conduct intended to obstruct and frustrate the Office of the Commissioner's investigation."
Rodriguez, the highest paid player in MLB, will be allowed to play with the Yankees for the rest of the season as he appeals the sanctions against him. Under the collective bargaining agreement rules, Rodriguez has up to 72-hours to file an appeal, which would be heard within 10 days by arbitrator Fredric Horowitz.
However, MLB Player Association executive director Michael Weiner said conflicts in Horowitz's schedule will stall the hearings until after the 2013 MLB season is over, giving Rodriguez the chance to finish out the 2013 season.
Weiner blasted Selig's decision to suspend the Yankee third baseman saying that the commissioner's office handed down too severe a punishment against Rodriguez compared to others suspended in the Biogenesis case.
"We feel what [Selig] did, frankly, was inappropriate and almost ridiculous," said Weiner during Tuesday's Dan Patrick Show. "Look at the penalties that have been [given] out and cases that have been decided by the commissioner's officer along with the Players Association. Nothing comes close to 211 games."
MLB, who had already suspended Milwaukee Brewers All-Star Ryan Braun - a former National League Most Valuable Player - for 65-games, has also handed down 50-game sanctions to 12 other players including Texas Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz, Detroit Tigers shortstop Jhonny Peralta, and San Diego Padres shortstop Everth Cabrera.
The league took no further action against Oakland pitcher Bartolo Colon, Toronto outfielder Melky Cabrera, and San Diego catcher Yasmani Grandal - all of who were involved in the Biogenesis investigation but have already served 50-game suspensions for failing previous drug tests.
The suspensions are a result of an investigation launched by MLB after the Miami New Times published a story detailing Rodriguez's ties to Biogenesis, accusing the clinic of distributing performance-enhancing drugs to athletes - including high school students.
The Miami newspaper reported that Rodriguez was paying $12,000 a month and received 19 different drugs and supplements from Tony Bosch, founder of Biogenesis - who agreed to cooperate with MLB after the league sued him, using his medical records to build cases against the baseball players accused of using PEDs.
Rodriguez, who will be 40-years-old by the time he returns from his suspension should he lose his appeal, understands the stakes - for his huge contract and for his career - and seems prepared to defend his besmirched name.
"I am fighting for my life," said Rodriguez. "If I don't defend myself, no one will."
- Contribute to this Story:
- Send us a tip
- Send us a photo or video
- Suggest a correction
