Alex Rodriguez hit with drug suspension through 2014 as MLB drops hammer

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-400_162...-suspension-through-2014-as-mlb-drops-hammer/



Three-time Most Valuable Player Alex Rodriguez has been suspended through the 2014 season while 12 other players have accepted 50-game bans as part of Major League Baseball's most sweeping drug scandal punishment.

Rodriguez's suspension, effective August 8, covers 211 games. He vowed to appeal.

In a statement, MLB 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."

"I am disappointed with the penalty and intend to appeal and fight this through the process," Rodriguez in a statement after the suspension was handed down. "I am eager to get back on the field and be with my teammates in Chicago tonight. I want to thank my family, friends and fans who have stood by my side through all this."

He told reporters Monday night that the past seven months have been a "nightmare," but declined to answer questions specifically about his guilt or innocence.

Earlier, CBSSports.com's Jon Heyman reported that A-Rod planned to play Monday night for the Yankees against the White Sox.

In its statement, MLB also accused Rodriguez 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."

Rodriguez, 38, was one of 13 players suspended by the league Monday for their links to Biogenesis, a now-defunct clinic accused of distributing banned performance-enhancing drugs to athletes across several professional sports.

 

He's still worth 300 mill and has four championships. He's set who cares

 

exactly, I took steriods and look at may life. millions of dollars in my bank account!!! Kids please don't take steroids.

 

seems unfair that they would let him keep his championships when they stripped Lance Armstrong of everything...we have watched Olympic metals be taken away...tour de france etc...hiding in a team sport doping is a cake walk...so the way i see it A ROD is skating by with an early retirement...hopefully he will not ever be considered for the hall of fame