Alex Rodriguez Leaves Arbitration Hearing

Sep 18, 2013; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Yankees designated hitter

(13) walks in the third inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

I have to say that I was surprised to see this one coming. Then again, I guess with Alex Rodriguez, maybe we should’ve seen this one coming? Rodriguez left during his arbitration hearing today after the arbitrator Frederic Horowitz decided not to compel MLB commissioner Bud Selig to testify.

Here’s A-Rod’s statement:

“I am disgusted with this abusive process, designed to ensure that the player fails,” Rodriguez said in the statement. “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.”

He also apparently cursed at MLB COO Rob Manfred when he left.

Upon leaving, Rodriguez went immediately to the set of WFAN’s Mike Francessa’s show and gave an interview with him.

He again denied using steroids after his positive test and said that MLB is out to get him.

Is it possible this is all calculated by someone who loves to be in the spotlight? Yes. Would I be angry in A-Rod’s shoes if Selig didn’t testify? Yes, but, MLB has decided to use Manfred for every drug hearing since the new policy kicked in. Of course, A-Rod does have the option to take the stand and defend himself which it doesn’t look like he’s going to do.

Look, is A-Rod guilty? I don’t really know. I will have to say his actions, especially today, don’t make him seem real innocent. I also don’t really know where A-Rod’s legal team goes from here or if he will even return to the proceedings.  I think the panel will come to a decision that will probably be about 100 or so game suspension and it will then go to court. Then the real question is can he play while it’s in court.

It appears we will have an answer to everything later rather than sooner but did you expect anything less?