Alex Rodriguez Suspension, Steroids 2013: A-Rod Tells His Attorneys To Quiet Down
Alex Rodriguez has heard enough, even from his own attorneys.
The veteran baseball star told ESPN New York that he has informed his camp to quiet down, in hopes of calming both sides involved in his steroids scandal and subsequent suspension. Ever since Rodriguez was slapped with a 211-game ban, which he is currently appealing, his attorney Joe Tacopina has been engaged in public arguments with Major League Baseball representatives as both sides have accused one another of breaking confidentiality agreements.
Rodriguez also told ESPN New York that he wanted to make sure baseball remained the key focus, especially with the playoffs looming.
"We have 30-something games? That's the only focus," he said. "The playoffs are what we are thinking about. That is the reason that I shut everything down."
Rodriguez's attorneys have blamed the Yankees and MLB for hiding an injury from him last year with hopes that his career would come to a screeching halt; Tacopina voiced his displeasure to publications such as the New York Times and other media outlets.
The timing of Rodriguez's decision to tone things down is more than ideal considering the work New York needs to do to catch up in the playoff race. The Yankees remain four games back in the AL wild card race and the team is 6.5 games behind the AL East-leading Red Sox. With just over a month left to play, A-Rod and the Yankees simply cannot afford to be distracted by his issues anymore.
That being said, Rodriguez understands the reality of the media and knows exactly what to expect. While talking to reporters before batting practice in Boston on Friday, Rodriguez predicted a rough time ahead.
"For the next seven weeks, it's going to be a very, very bumpy road," he said. "Every day, expect a story like this -- if not bigger."
While Rodriguez may do his best to keep things out of the spotlight, he will still be busy dealing with these issues off the field. On Wednesday, Rodriguez said he "publicly" wanted everything to do with baseball but did not discuss whether he plans to take action against Major League Baseball as his lawyer indicated.