Alex Rodriguez Suspended Through the End of 2014

Sep 28, 2012; Toronto, ON, Canada; New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez (13) gets set at his position in the field against the Toronto Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre. The Yankees beat the Blue Jays 11-4. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

In what was widely expected throughout the past couple of weeks, Yankees third-baseman Alex Rodriguez was suspended throughout the end of the 2014 MLB season for his involvement with the Biogenesis investigation.

The list doesn’t stop at Rodriguez. On July 23rd,  Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun was the first, being suspended the rest of the 2013 season for his relation with the Biogenesis clinic.

Jul 9, 2013; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Brewers left fielder Ryan Braun (8) during the game against the Cincinnati Reds at Miller Park. Milwaukee won 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Before A-Rod’s suspension was announced, 12 other players were handed out 50 game suspensions and will not appeal. Highlighting the list are Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz, Padres shortstop Everth Cabrera, and Tigers shortstop Jhonny Peralta.

But they will all be overshadowed by the 211-game suspension of Alex Rodriguez. Rodriguez burst onto the scene with the Seattle Mariners in 1998 as a shortstop. In 2000, Rodriguez signed a 10-year, $252 million contract with the Texas Rangers.

In 2009, he later admitted that he took PEDs while with Texas due to the overwhelming amount of pressure that he had on himself to perform. He was traded to New York in 2004 and put up video game numbers for the next four seasons. He then opted out of his contract and signed the new largest contract in MLB history, another 10 year contract, this time worth $275 million.

Apparently, his PED use in Texas was not the only time in his career that he tried to gain an advantage. When the Biogenesis investigation began to pick up steam, it was found that Rodriguez, now 38 with four years and $113 million remaining on his contract, was a player suspected of taking steroids.

Today, MLB announced that Rodriguez will be suspended from today through the end of the 2014 season.  His suspension will become official on Thursday.

Here is MLB’s statement:

” Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig announced today that third baseman Alex Rodriguez of the New York Yankees has been suspended without pay for the remainder of the 2013 Championship Season and Postseason and the entire 2014 Championship Season for violations of the Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program and the Basic Agreement.

Rodriguez’s discipline under the Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program is based on his use and possession of numerous forms of prohibited performance-enhancing substances, including Testosterone and human Growth Hormone, over the course of multiple years. Rodriguez’s discipline under the Basic Agreement is 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. The suspension, which will become effective on Thursday, August 8th, will cover 211 Championship Season games and any 2013 Postseason games in which Rodriguez otherwise would have been eligible to play. Under the terms of the Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program, Rodriguez’s suspension will be stayed until the completion of his appeal if Rodriguez files a grievance challenging his discipline. “

However, A-Rod will appeal and be allowed to play tonight against the Chicago White Sox. This will surely be a controversial subject in the game of baseball, as a strong percentage of fans across the country believe that Rodriguez should be banned for life and never be allowed on a field again.

If it upholds, it will be the first suspension longer than one year since Shoeless Joe Jackson.

It will only be hard to imagine how Rodriguez will be able to keep his concentration if he is reinstated to the Yankee’s lineup during his appeal. He can surely expect the loudest chorus of boo’s in his career, whether it be on the road, or perhaps in Yankee Stadium.

———-

Players Reportedly Accepting PED suspensions

Jul 31, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers right fielder Nelson Cruz (17) hits a home run in the second inning of the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Nelson Cruz, Texas rangers

Jhonny Peralta, Detroit Tigers

Antonio Bastardo, Philadelphia Phillies

Jordany Valdespin, New York Mets

Everth Cabrera, San Diego Padres

Fautino De Los Santo, FA

Jesus Montero, Seattle Mariners

Cesar Puello, New York Mets

Fernando Martinez, New York Yankees

Sergio Escolona, Houston Astros

Francisco Servilli, New York Yankees

Jordan Norberto, FA

*Alex Rodriguez is the only player appealing his suspension

———-

Jul 31, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Bartolo Colon (40) returns to the dugout against the Toronto Blue Jays during the first inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Oakland Athletics pitcher Bartolo Colon was not suspended for his PED use. This is a big relief for the playoff bound A’s, as losing their ace would be a crushing blow. MLB said that since Colon served his 50 game suspension last season, no further punishment is necessary.

The same goes for former San Francisco Giants outfielder Melky Cabrera.