Alex Rodriguez issued a hand-written public apology regarding his role in the Biogenesis doping scandal. (Facebook)
Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez issued a hand-written statement Tuesday, apologizing for his role in the Biogenesis doping scandal.
The public note surfaced just hours after Anthony Bosch, the former owner of Biogenesis, was sentenced to 4 years in a Miami federal prison.
A-Rod opened his letter with the following:
I take full responsibility for the mistakes that led to my suspension for the 2014 season. I regret that my actions made the situation worse than it needed to be. To Major League Baseball, the Yankees, the Steinbrenner family, the Players Association and you, the fans, I can only say I’m sorry.
He was suspended for the entire 2014 season after Major League Baseball claimed to have evidence Rodriguez not only obtained illegal performance-enhancing substances from Bosch, but also attempted to obstruct their investigation.
MLB had looked for a 211-game suspension, but it was reduced to 162 by an arbitrator in January 2014. It is the longest drug suspension in baseball history.
A-Rod added:
I accept the fact that many of you will not believe my apology or anything that I say at this point. I understand why and that’s on me. It was gracious of the Yankees to offer me the use of Yankee Stadium for this apology but I decided the next time I am in Yankee Stadium, I should be in pinstripes doing my job.
Rodriguez acknowledged he isn’t a lock to be on the Yankees’ Opening Day roster in his closing:
This game has been my single passion since I was a teenager. When I go to Spring Training, I will do everything I can to be the best player and teammate possible, earn a spot on the Yankees and help us win.
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A-Rod Statement: The Slugger Issues Hand-Written Apology