SIT & SPIN!

Slugger loses $ 25 million for drug use Whines ‘deck is stacked against me’

A-ROD IS going, going ... gone ne until 2015.

Major League Baseball officials dropped a staggering 162-game suspension Saturday on the Yankees slugger, ugger, a decision that will lighten the PED-user’s D-user’s wallet by $25 million.

Three-time MVP Alex Rodriguez driguez vowed to go down swinging in his s blood feud against Commissioner Bud Selig — even as his penalty was slashed from om 211 games by an arbitrator.

“The number of games sadly comes omes as no surprise, as the deck has been stacked against me from day one,” Rodriguez driguez whined in a lengthy statement.

“This is one man’s decision, that hat was not put before a fair and impartial jury.”

Rodriguez — who has admitted d using steroids between 2001 and 2003 — flatly denied using any PEDs since or r failing even “a single drug test.”

He plans to challenge the arbitrator’s itrator’s binding ruling in federal court. He e won’t have the support of the player’s union, which called the decision “final and nd binding.”

Experts predicted A-Rod was unlikely to prevail in the courts as the appeal eal was done under the union contract ct with MLB.

His suspension, the stiffest ever r handed down for PED use, came from Selig as part of the investigation into Biogenesis ogenesis of America, a Miami-based anti-aging ti-aging clinic.

Bronx Bombers fans, who once ce welcomed the power-hitting third baseman aseman with open arms, were just as thrilled led Saturday by his suspension.

“It’s a good thing for the Yankees,” ees,” said Walter Benavides, 49, at the Yankee Tavern in the Bronx. “They’ll have $25 million free, and maybe be able to hire some guys.”

Benavides predicted the year ar off would mean the end of A-Rod’s career. Rodriguez, who turns 39 in July, played layed in just 44 games last season as he struggled ruggled with various injuries.

“As a Yankees fan, I’m glad it’s over,” said Shaun Clancy, the owner of Foley’s Irish Pub in Midtown. “There’s no more uncertainty. The Yankees can now focus on the team, and use the $25 million for something constructive.”

The name on the lips of most Yankees fans: Japanese free agent pitcher Masahiro Tanaka, a potentially huge upgrade for the pitching-needy team.

“It helps the Yankees in the long run, and it gives us the opportunity to sign Tanaka,” said Yankee Tavern bartender Brian Velez, 21.

Velez was just a kid when A-Rod arrived in the Bronx a decade ago, and he remembers thinking of the slugger as a hero.

“I thought A-Rod was the next Babe Ruth,” Velez said. “It bothers me, because I looked up to him when I was younger and always wanted to be like A-Rod.”

Rodriguez will now remain stuck on 654 homers, well short of Ruth’s 714 and more than 100 short of Barry Bonds’ all-time record of 762.

A-Rod sits now at No. 5 on the list of baseball sluggers. But last year, in his limited capacity, Rodriguez hit just .244 with only seven homers and 19 RBI.

Not even Mets fans could dredge up any sympathy for their suspended crosstown rival.

“A-Rod’s not good, and he cheated,” said Tina Ruocco, 17. “I guess it at least means less drama for the team. It’s stupid. It’s just drawn more attention to him. I’m happy he was suspended.”

The penalty also bars Rodriguez from playing if the Yankees return to the postseason this year, although he remains under con- tract with the Yankees through 2017 — and is due to collect another $61 million.

Rodriguez, in addition to charges of using PEDs, was accused of trying to obstruct MLB’s investigation into drug use by its players.

A dozen other players charged with A-Rod opted to accept their penalties, while Rodriguez challenged his suspension.

Yankees die-hard Mark Suley- manob said he thought the record-setting suspension didn’t fit the crime.

“I agree with him being suspended, but I think he was singled out,” said the 18-year-old Brooklynite, wearing a Yankees cap and jacket.

Suleymanob noted that 2011 National League MVP Ryan Braun only served a 65-game sentence for his drug-cheating.

“That should be the max,” he said.

Jason Bastone, 28, of the Bronx, had already put A-Rod in his rear-view mirror and was looking forward to spring training.

“Hopefully, the Yankees can put this behind them for the year and focus on making it to the playoffs and hopefully winning the World Series,” he said.

Bastone added that he wasn’t questioning A-Rod’s skills: “I’m not going to take steroids and hit 800 home runs.” But he said it was time to say goodbye.

“He’s too old,” said Bastone. “He should retire.”

The minor league Long Island Ducks offered A-Rod a suburban roster spot for the upcoming season, and bar owner Clancy said he had a spot behind the stick for the heavy hitter.

“Sure,” said Clancy. “He can stop by anytime if he wants to pick up a couple of shifts.”