Alex Rodriguez was once 'disgusted' by MLB's 'abusive' arbitration process for his 211 - game suspension
New York Yankees legend Alex Rodriguez was a star MLB player, but A-Rod's illustrious career was marred by his PED usage. Rodriguez admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs in 2013, the result of which was his suspension from the game for the entire 2014 season.
In 2013, MLB handed down a 211-game suspension to Rodriguez over his alleged involvement in the biogenesis controversy.
Rodriguez was upset with his long suspension and once walked out of his own arbitration trial, claiming he was not given a fair shot to appeal his suspension, as reported by USA Today in 2013.
"I am disgusted with this abusive process, designed to ensure that the player fails," Rodriguez said in the statement. "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. The absurdity and injustice just became too much. I walked out and will not participate any further in this farce."
Alex Rodriguez suspended 211 regular season games through 2014 for violating Joint Drug Prevention & Treatment Program & Basic Agreement.
"Alex Rodriguez suspended 211 regular season games through 2014 for violating Joint Drug Prevention & Treatment Program & Basic Agreement." - MLB
Later, Rodriguez's suspension was reduced to 162 games, which is still the longest suspension in MLB history.
Alex Rodriguez's involvement in Biogenesis scandal
In the 2013 season's biogenesis incident, in which more than 13 players were accused of acquiring performance-enhancing chemicals from the US Biogenesis clinic, Rodriguez played a significant part.
Nine years ago today, Alex Rodriguez was suspended 211 games by MLB for his role in the Biogenesis PED scandal. https://t.co/UXSne8aEAM
"Nine years ago today, Alex Rodriguez was suspended 211 games by MLB for his role in the Biogenesis PED scandal." - FanDuel
Rodriguez expressed his desire to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in an interview.
Given his damaged reputation as a result of his admission that he used performance-enhancing drugs during his playing career, A-Rod and his supporters were aware that it would be challenging for him to be inducted into Cooperstown. He said:
"There's rules, and you have to follow the rules. I made those mistakes, and at the end of the day I have to live by those mistakes. Whether I get in or not — and let's be clear, I want to get in, I hope I get in, I pray I get in — if I don't, I think I have a bigger opportunity yet again."
Alex Rodriguez's last appearance in the MLB was in 2016.