And in Arod news

[gotbeer]

Rodriguez walks out of hearing

 

[ettin]

So who were the felons, since the liars are accounted for?

[gotbeer]

So who were the felons, since the liars are accounted for?

 

Wouldn't it be funny if Bosche sued Arod for Defamation for calling him a felon.

[Bruce Nye]

Bye bye, A-Rod....and you were this close to the HOF.

[Angel Oracle]

Teflon PayRod finally loses it.    Time to hang your spikes up!

[Troll Daddy]

Why is Selig refusing to testify? I'll think everyone involved is a cheat and that includes Selig.

[Tank]

sometimes a fella just needs a little "me time".

 

 

 

[Mudville]

I think it was reasonable to call the Commissioner in since Selig had no problem spearheading this case and was quite vocal when he handed down the suspension. It came from is desk, he should have to answer questions about how he arrived his decision.

[m0nkey]

Hopefully he comes back and breaks bonds' record

[Bruce Nye]

Why should Selig have to testify?  Even though there are sentencing guidelines, do judges have to explain their reasoning for handing down sentences?

 

The facts speak for themselves here.  He cheated once and cheated again and admitted it with a tear jerk response that we now know was as sincere as a Will Farrell movie.  Then the Bosche matter comes to light and he was not only cheating (again) he was soliciting other MLB players to cheat.  Where is that sincere mea culpa about the purity of the game.

[jshep]

I don't know, I'm not a fan of A-Rod, but I think Selig changing the collectively agreed upon rules cause he feels like it warrants an explanation.

Edited November 21, 2013 by jshep

[HaloFan85]

"In the entire history of the Joint Drug Agreement, the commissioner has not testified in a single case. Major League Baseball has the burden of proof in this matter," the statement read. "MLB selected Rob Manfred as its witness to explain the penalty imposed in this case. Mr. Rodriguez and the Players Association have no right to dictate how Baseball's case is to proceed any more than Baseball has the right to dictate how their case proceeds. Today's antics are an obvious attempt to justify Mr. Rodriguez's continuing refusal to testify under oath."

 

http://espn.go.com/new-york/mlb/story/_/id/10007469/alex-rodriguez-rips-bud-selig-denies-using-biogenesis-supplied-peds

 

[AngelsLakersFan]

"In the entire history of the Joint Drug Agreement, the commissioner has not testified in a single case. Major League Baseball has the burden of proof in this matter," the statement read. "MLB selected Rob Manfred as its witness to explain the penalty imposed in this case. Mr. Rodriguez and the Players Association have no right to dictate how Baseball's case is to proceed any more than Baseball has the right to dictate how their case proceeds. Today's antics are an obvious attempt to justify Mr. Rodriguez's continuing refusal to testify under oath."

 

http://espn.go.com/new-york/mlb/story/_/id/10007469/alex-rodriguez-rips-bud-selig-denies-using-biogenesis-supplied-peds

 

Rodriguez is not being suspended under the rules of the Joint Drug Agreement but rather under the commissioners 'best interest of baseball' clause.

[AngelsLakersFan]

Good article on the history of the Best Interest In Baseball clause

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130801&content_id=55523182&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb

 

And really good article from Wendy Thurm at FG's about today's events: 

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/a-rod-storms-out-of-arbitration-but-relief-in-court-unlikely/

[kevinb]

Baseball is the most corrupt sport of all time. I can't stand everyone who is in control of this sport. Baseball Commissioner and the owners are all at fault here. They basically allowed steroids and PED use and the only reason they are "trying" to be good right now is because they want to show the public they care and they are doing this to A Rod in the end of his career. There is no way they would do this kind of crap to anyone who has the entire career left in baseball. I can't stand A Rod but this whole thing smells of crap. Paying someone to testify and giving him a free pass? Really? Creeps me out thinking of baseball, and how this sport is run. 

[Bruce Nye]

Baseball is the most corrupt sport of all time. I can't stand everyone who is in control of this sport. Baseball Commissioner and the owners are all at fault here. They basically allowed steroids and PED use and the only reason they are "trying" to be good right now is because they want to show the public they care and they are doing this to A Rod in the end of his career. There is no way they would do this kind of crap to anyone who has the entire career left in baseball. I can't stand A Rod but this whole thing smells of crap. Paying someone to testify and giving him a free pass? Really? Creeps me out thinking of baseball, and how this sport is run. 

 

 

And the MLBPA is as pure as driven snow?  I see.

 

It was the players' union who wouldn't allow testing.

[kevinb]

And the MLBPA is as pure as driven snow?  I see.

 

It was the players' union who wouldn't allow testing.

No not at all. I forgot the Players Association. But I would put them up there as people who were running baseball or running baseball.

[Vegas Halo Fan]

Why is Selig refusing to testify? I'll think everyone involved is a cheat and that includes Selig.

 

He isn't refusing to testify. The arbitrator refused to require him to appear as A-Roid's lawyers wanted.

Edited November 21, 2013 by Vegas Halo Fan

[mancini79]

Completely staged by Arod and his lawyers. He was going to throw a hissy fit and storm out regardless. Selig doesn't need to confront Arod because MLB already has a representative there presenting the evidence. This is why the arbitrator disallowed the request to have Selig present. The evidence speaks for itself. Since Arod isn't getting his way, his camp decided to create a circus in an attempt to compromise MLB's credibility. Arod then conveniently goes on an Pro-Arod radio show for a staged interview. Now ARod can avoid any interview request and avoid tougher questions by saying "I already said everything on the radio". The guy has nothing more to lose and there is no consequence for lying.

[Vegas Halo Fan]

Since Arod isn't getting his way, his camp decided to create a circus in an attempt to compromise MLB's credibility.

 

This is really the only card he has to play. From what I have heard, the evidence is overwhelming. Instead of taking the approach that the punishment is too severe in relation to similar cases, A-Roid has chosen to pursue complete vindication and elimination of the entire suspension - which is a losing strategy, IMO, but he is just arrogant enough to believe that he can pull it off.

Edited November 21, 2013 by Vegas Halo Fan

[Lhalo]

Judging by the custom suit he was wearing today, the guy has an awesome tailor.

That's my 2 cents. You're welcome.

[Redondo]

Completely staged by Arod and his lawyers. He was going to throw a hissy fit and storm out regardless. Selig doesn't need to confront Arod because MLB already has a representative there presenting the evidence. This is why the arbitrator disallowed the request to have Selig present. The evidence speaks for itself. Since Arod isn't getting his way, his camp decided to create a circus in an attempt to compromise MLB's credibility. Arod then conveniently goes on an Pro-Arod radio show for a staged interview. Now ARod can avoid any interview request and avoid tougher questions by saying "I already said everything on the radio". The guy has nothing more to lose and there is no consequence for lying.

 

Agree. The best defense is a strong offense, sometimes. Which it looks like ARod's team is doing.

[The Ghost of Bob Starr]

If the batting glove doesn't fit...

 

Arod's team is going to get this suspension reduced.   He's also going to take one final swing at Selig's image.    I love this drama.

[nate]

Hah... love the NY media.

 

[red321]

Completely staged by Arod and his lawyers. He was going to throw a hissy fit and storm out regardless. Selig doesn't need to confront Arod because MLB already has a representative there presenting the evidence. This is why the arbitrator disallowed the request to have Selig present. The evidence speaks for itself. Since Arod isn't getting his way, his camp decided to create a circus in an attempt to compromise MLB's credibility. Arod then conveniently goes on an Pro-Arod radio show for a staged interview. Now ARod can avoid any interview request and avoid tougher questions by saying "I already said everything on the radio". The guy has nothing more to lose and there is no consequence for lying.

 

Yup...this was about public perception...he knew going in Selig wasn't going to testify and it was as staged as everything else Arod does.