Former Seattle Mariner Alex Rodriguez has been suspended for using performance-enhancing drugs.
Rodriguez, also known as A-Rod, is suspended for the rest of this season and the next. He can play while he appeals.
Rodriguez says he’s disappointed in the league’s decision. Other people are disappointed too, but in Rodriguez.
Raul Ibanez was A-Rod’s teammate in the late 1990s, when they both played for the Seattle Mariners. Yesterday, before batting practice at Safeco Field, he said it was a sad day for baseball. "I’m disgusted by the whole thing really. That’s what I feel about it, but I think this is a great message to anybody that would be thinking about doing something wrong is that you’re going to get caught, as you should, and you’re going to be penalized, as you should."
Fans also voiced their chagrin. Rodriguez is one of the game’s greatest hitters, and he was just coming back from a hip injury. The same day Major League Baseball suspended him, he played for the New York Yankees in Chicago. Chicago fans booed when he stepped up to bat.
In New York fans bitterly recalled his record-breaking, 10-year contract with the Yankees. "A-Rod is making $27.5 million and he's going to still take HGH, and lie about it, lie to our faces on multiple occasions," said fan Nick Diminitch. "I just can't respect anything like that."
MLB handed out suspensions to another 12 players, including Jesus Montero of the Mariners.
The team’s general manager Jack Zduriencik said though the suspension is for 50 games, it means Montero will sit out the season. When Montero returns, Zduriencik said people will forgive him and get on with the game.
"But when you make a big mistake like this, you’re going to pay the price. And I think this suspension to these players, it’s right in front of all of our eyes. It’s been proven today you’re going to pay a price."
