Sources: Selig ready to give A-Rod lifetime ban
Commissioner Bud Selig is prepared to levy a lifetime suspension on New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez, while suspending about eight others before the weekend, two people with knowledge of the negotiations told USA Today Sports.
The people were unauthorized to speak publicly because no announcement is expected until today or Friday.
“I hope he does it,” former commissioner Fay Vincent told USA Today Sports. “It’s right for baseball. The harder he comes down, the better it is for baseball.”
Rodriguez, according to his attorney, David Cornwell, will appeal any suspension.
The other players are expected to receive 50-game bans, and most are considering accepting the discipline without appealing, according to one of the people.
As many as 20 players were originally linked to Biogenesis, a now-shuttered Miami clinic that allegedly provided performanceenhancing drugs, but some players could not be disciplined for lack of evidence.
Besides Rodriguez, All-Stars Nelson Cruz of the Texas Rangers and Jhonny Peralta of the Detroit Tigers are facing possible suspensions, along with shortstop Everth Cabrera of the San Diego Padres.
Rob Manfred, MLB executive vice president of labor relations, informed the Major League Baseball Players Association officials on Tuesday of their findings and suspensions.
The players and their representatives will decide whether they will file an appeal or accept the penalties, which would all but end their regular season with barely 50 games remaining.
Rodriguez, who used performance-enhancing drugs from 2010 to 2012, according to Biogenesis documents, has never been punished for doping. Players who
I hope he does it. It’s right for baseball. The harder he comes down, the better it is for baseball.”
FAY VINCENT Former MLB commissioner, on Bud Selig’s possible lifetime suspension of Alex Rodriguez
violate the drug policy are subject to a 50-game suspension for a first offense.
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun was suspended last week for 65 games for what MLB called violations of the collectivebargaining agreement and jointdrug agreement.
In banning Rodriguez for life, Selig could invoke Article XII (B) of the CBA, which states:
“Players may be disciplined for just cause for conduct that is materially detrimental or materially prejudicial to the best interests of baseball, including, but not limited to, engaging in conduct in violation of federal, state or local law.”
MLB will contend that, in addition to lying about performanceenhancing drug use, Rodriguez lied to MLB officials while attempting to sabotage their investigation, according to one of the people.
When asked if MLB is planning to impose a lifetime ban on Rodriguez, union executive director Michael Weiner said in an email: “I can neither confirm nor deny.”
An appeal would be heard by arbitrator Fredric Horowitz and would likely not occur until September.
Should MLB suspend Rodriguez under the CBA, he would be ineligible to play until Horowitz’s decision.