A clearly emotional Alex Rodriguez faced reporters Monday, thanking
Major League Baseball for the opportunity to continue playing as he fights
against doping charges, but steering clear of directly addressing his guilt or
innocence.
The New York Yankees all star, wearing his team cap and
shirt, spoke ahead of a Chicago baseball game shortly after it was announced he
would be suspended by the league. Rodriguez's suspension, effective August 8,
covers 211 games, but he will be allowed to continue playing as he appeals the
decision.
"I just want to express to you guys and the fans of
baseball the last seven months have been a nightmare, probably the worst time
of my life," Rodriguez said at a press conference before Monday night's
game.
The MLB has said Rodriguez's drug ban was for "his use
and possession of numerous forms of prohibited performance-enhancing
substances, including testosterone and human growth hormone over the course of
multiple years.
" The league has also accused him of "attempting to cover-up his violations
... by engaging in a course of conduct intended to obstruct and frustrate the
Office of the Commissioner's investigation."
In addition to fighting charges that he used PEDs, A-Rod has
been rehabbing from hip surgery and quadriceps injury.
Monday night's game against the White Sox is the first time
Rodriguez will play in the major league since his dismal performance in the
playoffs last October. He played in two minor league games over the weekend.
"I am thrilled and humbled to have the opportunity to
put on this uniform again and to play Major League Baseball again," he
said. "I feel like I am 18 years old back in Fenway Park in 1994, when I
went to face the Red Sox for the first time. It's been 20 years. It nice to
have the opportunity to play baseball."
Rodriguez repeatedly dodged questions directly about the
charges into using performance enhancing drugs. He is one of 13 players
suspended Monday for their links to Biogenesis, a now-defunct clinic accused of
distributing banned performance-enhancing drugs to athletes across several
professional sports.
"When the time is right, there will be the opportunity
to discuss all that. I don't think the time is right now," he said.
A-Rod repeated himself when a reporter asked if he could
just outright deny or admit the charges. "That's all I feel comfortable
telling your right now," he said.
When asked if he thought about the consequences of things
don't go his way and he is ultimately banned from the Yankees, Rodriguez said
he hasn't "thought that far ahead."
"It's been the toughest fight of my life," he
said.
Nelson Cruz of the Rangers, Jhonny Peralta of the Tigers and
Everth Cabrera of the Padres -- all 2013 All-Stars -- accepted 50-game
suspensions without appeal.
Nine other players accepted suspensions without appeal:
Yankees catcher Francisco Cervelli and outfielder Fernando Martinez;
Philadelphia pitcher Antonio Bastardo; Seattle catcher Jesus Montero; New York
Mets infielder Jordany Valdespin and outfielder Cesar Puello; Houston pitcher Sergio
Escalona; San Diego pitcher Fautino De Los Santos; and free agent pitcher
Jordan Norberto.
Rodriguez, a three-time Most Valuable Player, is the
professional sport's highest-paid and is still owed $86 million for the final
four years of his contract with the Bronx Bombers.
No comments:
Post a Comment