Alex Rodriguez says he has not used PEDs since 2003, calls arbitration a 'farce'
Alex Rodriguez is facing a 211-game suspension for PED use and obstructing an investigation. (Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
Alex Rodriguez denied all performance-enhancing drug use since 2003 and called the accusations against him by MLB "disgusting" and "laughable" in an interview with Mike Francesa on WFAN in New York.
A-Rod denied all of the allegations that led to his record 211-game PED suspension, including that he has attempted to obstruct the MLB's investigation. He also contested the claim that he leaked documents linking disgraced Brewers slugger Ryan Braun to the Biogenesis facility at the heart of the suspension, according to Matt Snyder of CBSSports.com.
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Rodriguez stormed out of the arbitration hearing Wednesday after an independent arbitrator ruled that commissioner Bud Selig would not have to testify at the proceedings. In a statement released through his lawyer, the Yankees third baseman questioned the credibility of the league's witnesses and said he would no longer attend the sessions:
"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."
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A-Rod also claimed that he had repeatedly offered to meet with Selig and MLB COO Rob Manfred without representation, but that they were unwilling to see him.