A little less than a month ago, the decision of MLB arbitrator Fredric Horowitz was released. In it the MLB suspension of Alex Rodriguez for 211 games was reduced to 162 games (or basically the entire 2014 season). Two days after that decision, Rodriguez filed a law suit in federal court against MLB, the MLBPA, and Bud Selig in an attempt to have the suspension overturned.
Dropping the Fight: Alex Rodriguez Withdraws Legal Challenges To Suspensions
Today, Rodriguez has given up that fight, filing a notice of dismissal of all claims. While the notice does allow him to re-file at a later date, there is no legal advantage to making this move. In others, this is a move that Rodriguez has made when he has accepted defeat in the case.
MLB released the following statement:
“We have been informed that Alex Rodriguez has reached the prudent decision to end all of the litigation related to the Biogenesis matter. We believe that Mr. Rodriguez’s actions show his desire to return the focus to the play of our great game on the field and to all of the positive attributes and actions of his fellow Major League Players. We share that desire.”
Alex Rodriguez’s suspension begins when the MLB season begins and so he would be eligible to attend spring training. However word came down from Rodriguez’s lawyer today that Rodriguez will not do so.
A-Rod’s attorney Joe Tacopina says A-Rod will not attend spring training.
— Ken Davidoff (@KenDavidoff) February 7, 2014
For all intents and purposes it appears that A-Rod has given up the legal battle and will sit out his suspension.
And so ends the dirty world of the Biogenesis scandal that began just over a year ago. Or so we all hope.
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