The MLB governing body is tired of Yankees' third baseman Alex Rodriguez. It's bad enough he was able to negotiate a $250 million salary as a member of the Texas Rangers. And forget the fact that he is a notorious underachiever in the playoffs with a career postseason batting average of .263. But he now stares down the barrel of a 211 game suspension that would effectively render the next two years in A-Rod's life as null and void for all baseball purposes. And for a 38-year old, it could also mean the end of a career.
The sentence was handed down by MLB commissioner Bud Selig as punishment for Rodriguez's alleged use of performance-enhancing drugs, and for tampering with evidence during MLB's investigation. On Wednesday, the drama surrounding A-Rod flung into high gear, as he threw what can only be properly described as a "hissy fit" during a grievance hearing in New York. The drama popped off when arbitrator Fredric Horowitz ruled that commissioner Selig did not have to testify before A-Rod's attorneys regarding the reason their client's punishment was so severe. A-Rod reportedly left the hearing kicking and screaming, stomping his way to any media outlet that would listen. From all reports, the tantrum appeared to be rehearsed and disingenuous (what else is new?). He then stormed out of the proceedings and later took the microphone of an ESPN sports radio show to plead his case.
As A-Rod danced around the subject, his attorneys, David Cornwell and Jordan Siev, remained at the hearing, speaking on the record of "an unfair process." Ever the spin-doctor, Rodriguez released a statement highlighting his thoughts.
"I am disgusted with this abusive process, designed to ensure that the player fails," the statement said. "I have sat through 10 days of testimony by felons and liars, sitting quietly through every minute, trying to respect the league and the process. This morning, after Bud Selig refused to come in and testify about his rationale for the unprecedented and totally baseless punishment he hit me with, the arbitrator selected by MLB and the players' association refused to order Selig to come in and face me."
Stay tuned to The Shadow League as the saga continues…
