As Alex Rodriguez and Major League Baseball await a decision from independent arbitrator Fred Horowitz on whether Rodriguez's suspension will be upheld, the Yankees third baseman expressed optimism Friday that a ruling would be made soon, reports the Boston Globe.
Alex Rodriguez suspension: 3B ‘confident’ decision will be made soon
Rodriguez has been suspended for 211 games, but is appealing his punishments.
Speaking at a charity event, Rodriguez had the following to say:
“I feel good. I have limits what I can talk about. I look forward to Horowitz making a decision and putting this behind me and getting back to hitting in the middle of the lineup.”
I’m optimistic, hopefully. It’s been a very tough several months. Very tough year. I’m optimistic that [a decision] will come soon,” he said. “We can get it behind us and take all the stuff off the back pages and focus on playing baseball and all great things that are happening with the game.
“Make a decision, whatever happens, let’s move forward.”
Those comments represent a much more calm Rodriguez, as opposed to the one who stormed out of a hearing calling the entire process a “farce” and telling MLB COO Rob Manfred, who led the investigation into the Biogenesis clinic, that he was “full of [crap].”
Rodriguez was issued a 211-game suspension for his connection to Biogenesis. He was one of 13 players to be punished in relation to the clinic. Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun was levied a 65-game suspension while the remaining 11 players all received the typical 50-game suspension for a first-time offender.
Though Rodriguez has admitted to using performance enhancing drugs in the past, he says he did so from 2001-03, before punishments for testing positive were in place. Thus, he argues that a 211-game suspension is out-of-line entirely.
Rodriguez is also suing Major League Baseball and commissioner Bud Selig for conducting what he alleges to be a “witch hunt.” The entire process has been filled with both parties throwing allegations of the other purchasing documents and buying off witnesses.
If Rodriguez’s suspension is upheld, he stands to lose more than $30 million in salary. For now, he says he is working hard on preparing for spring training with every intention to maintain his starting third base role for the Yankees.


















