Jeter ‘Saddened’ By Rodriguez Suspension

Yankees captain Derek Jeter has expressed his disappointment over the Alex Rodriguez suspension ordeal.  Recently, Arbitrator Fredric Horowitz upheld Commissioner Bud Selig's suspension of Alex Rodriguez, and reduced Selig's original 211-game suspension to 162, plus postseason games, for the 2014 season, for what is described by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency CEO Travis Tygart as the most potent and sophisticated drug program developed for an athlete that we've ever seen.

Speaking during the launch party for his Celebrity Golf Classic, an event that benefits Jeter’s Turn 2 Foundation, Jeter reverted back to his cards-close-to-the-vest approach when the topic of discussion turned to spring training next month that Alex Rodriguez has said he will attend. He said it would be better to pose this question to A-Rod and he really cannot give any more on this. Jeter reiterated that the whole situation has been sad and remarked you grow close with guys throughout the years, guys that you’ve played with for that long. The Yankees captain said there had been communication between A-Rod and hum and he offered that he was certain it is tough in the fallout for Rodriguez.

Jeter added that he will probably begin working out at the Yankee minor-league complex as he tries to come back from a broken left ankle that restricted him to just 17 games last year. He also said we have made some great additions and you never know what else we’re going to do, if we’re going to do anything. Jeter added he had told all for years, until you get to spring training, you never know what the changes are going to be and said he likes what he sees so far.

Hall of Famer Rich (Goose) Gossage, a guest at the Jeter event, said it’s unfortunate for the game, for Alex, for everyone involved. He added to have Major League Baseball have to go through this is very difficult and also said he thinks A-Rod probably got what he deserved. He went on to add that he hates to see it happen to him but he thinks the punishment fits the crime. Gossage added Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds deserved to be snubbed from the Hall of Fame again this year. He remarked he had always said all along, these guys need to fess up to what they’ve done to the game – he is talking about Clemens, Bonds, and A-Rod.

Gossage added it’s just unfortunate and he thinks they’re getting what they deserve. He went on to say that he thinks the commissioner ought to reinstate the records that Bonds broke, and not even recognize what these guys accomplished in the game. Gossage also remarked he wishes would just leave it alone and take his medicine and go on, see about coming back. He also said who knows what the future holds for A-Rod and the Yankees, that whole situation and added money does strange things to people. The Hall of Famer also said one thing about baseball, you don’t get better the older you get and it is unfortunate this whole thing happened, but you have a way of bringing things on yourself.