A-Rod Suspended 162 Games + Playoffs

[Giantmetfan07]

 

 
Alex Rodriguez's record 211-game suspension has been reduced to 162 games, Major League Baseball has announced. He also will not be allowed to compete in the postseason should the Yankees qualify. It is the largest performance-enhancing drug related suspension in MLB history.

Here is the league's statement:
 


“For more than five decades, the arbitration process under the Basic Agreement has been a fair and effective mechanism for resolving disputes and protecting player rights. While we believe the original 211-game suspension was appropriate, we respect the decision rendered by the Panel and will focus on our continuing efforts on eliminating performance-enhancing substances from our game.”

 

 
The players' union issued a statement that both denounced the suspension but acknowledged the process was fair:
 

The MLBPA strongly disagrees with the award issued today in the grievance of Alex Rodriguez, even despite the Arbitration Panel's decision to reduce the duration of Mr. Rodriguez's unprecedented 211-game suspension. We recognize that a final and binding decision has been reached, however, and we respect the collectively-bargained arbitration process which led to the decision. In accordance with the confidentiality provisions of the JDA, the Association will make no further comment regarding the decision.

 
Rodriguez, 38, was suspended in early August for his ties to Biogenesis. The 211 games was essentially broken down into the standard 50-game ban for first-time PED offenders plus another 161 games for allegedly interfering with MLB's investigation.
 
Unlike the other 12 players suspended in August, A-Rod filed an appeal and had been in a rather nasty legal battle with MLB in recent weeks. The appeal hearing started the day after the end of the regular season and concluded in mid November. Horowitz could have upheld, overturned or reduced the suspension.
 
MLB enlisted the cooperation of former Biogenesis chief Anthony Bosch over the summer to help with their investigation. In exchange for his help, they dropped their lawsuit against him, paid his legal bills and provided a personal security detail. Bosch provided phone records and corroborated evidence.
 
Rodriguez is said to have received PEDs from Bosch and Biogenesis for a period of time from 2009-12. He admitted to using banned substances with the Rangers from 2001-03 back during spring training in 2009. MLB viewed him as a repeat offender and their top target during the investigation.
 
As indicated in the statement, Rodriguez's camp will seek an injuction and continue a legal battle in federal court. They would have accepted a suspension of 65 games or less without a fight, however. Ryan Braun was suspended 65 games for his Biogenesis connection. An injuction is viewed as unlikely.
 

 

[Pugz]

hes still gonna try and fight this.

deny deny deny. get caught..deny some more.

 

[Thomas-Panda-Saxby]

He'll be back...

 

[snipezo]

im not the biggest a-rod fan, but i think thats a bit too extreme imo

 

[Lake Louise]

At some point, you have to just give in and accept it. Originally, a 211-game suspension, which I can understand being upset with that length. It's decreased to 162, including the postseason, and he still can't handle that. They didn't have to decrease it from 211 games, but they did, and he should just accept it and move on. Yet, that's not the A-rod way. He likes to deny everything, even though after this decision he said he has never taken performance enhancing drugs, yet he admitted he did years ago, in 2009.
 
It's not like he hasn't made any money, in his career. I'm sure he's not hurting in that department, and I get the desire to want to play each and every day, but to try and take this to Federal Court would be a waste of time. Especially when those that he felt would be his back up, aren't going to fight this. They respect the decision, but have no desire to move forward with this. I believe that A-rod has played his last game as a New York Yankee, and possibly his last game in the MLB entirely.

 

[WHO-DEY-BENGALS_18]

Once a liar, always a liar. 

 

[H-MYK]

A-Rod should just go away. He's just an embarrassment to the League

 

[NV]

Lol he's done.

 

[Sportsguy9695]

this was well deserved. im sure he will land on his feet in 2015