When Alex Rodriguez sued MLB to overturn his PED suspension
New York Yankees legend Alex Rodriguez was involved in the 2013 biogenesis drug scandal and admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs. As a result, the All-Star was suspended from the MLB for 162 games.
Rodriguez filed a lawsuit against Major League Baseball and its commissioner, Bud Selig, in the New York Supreme Court just five days into his arbitration hearing.
Speaking to CNN in 2013, Rodriguez said:
“The entire legal dynamic is very complex, and my legal team is doing what they need to in order to vindicate me and pursue all of my rights. This matter is entirely separate from the ongoing arbitration. I look forward to the arbitration proceedings continuing, and for the day to come when I can share my story with the public and my supporters.”
Rodriguez received a penalty that was significantly lengthier than the penalties imposed on the other 13 players involved with biogenesis.
Other players, including stars Nelson Cruz of the Texas Rangers and Ryan Braun of the Milwaukee Brewers, accepted their penalties without protest. The lawsuit claimed that Bosch and and those attached to him:
"Actively participated in a scheme… to solicit or induce Major League players to purchase or obtain PES (performing-enhancing substances) for their use in violation of MLB's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program."
Rodriguez tried his best to fight his 211-game suspension, ordered by the court. He was banned for the entire 2014 season by arbitrator Fredric Horowitz, who later reduced Rodriguez's ban from 211 games to 162.
Alex Rodriguez reflected on the steroid scandal in 2019
Alex Rodriguez's MLB career was marred by the PEDs incident. In a Sports Illustrated interview in June 2019, A-Rod blamed only himself for his low points and reflected on what he learned from them:
"I fell from the Empire State Building. Nobody pushed me. I f*****g jumped. No parachute. I have no one to blame for myself. But what’s changed is, I got my **s humbled. I paid a deep penalty. I’ve learned lessons. And I’m different.”
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Everyone loves a good comeback story, and @ryenarussillo thinks we have two of the best happening right now: Matthew McConaughey and Alex Rodriguez. So which comeback is better? https://t.co/SRGql7loOs
Everyone loves a good comeback story, and @ryenarussillo thinks we have two of the best happening right now: Matthew McConaughey and Alex Rodriguez. So which comeback is better? - The Ringer
Rodriguez's comeback story began when he joined the Yankees as a special advisor. He gradually began making TV appearances as an MLB analyst and hosting shows.
Alex Rodriguez has developed into a successful businessman as well; he is currently the CEO of his investment company, A-Rod Corp. He also holds a minority ownership stake in the Minnesota Timberwolves, an NBA team.