A-Rod Faces A Lifetime Ban from MLB

A-Rod Faces A Lifetime Ban from MLB

New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez is one of the most highly recognized baseball players in the country. However, his glory days may come to an abrupt ending if Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig decides to impose a lifetime ban on A-Rod, a move that he is seriously considering.

Selig has noted that he is considering the option to suspend A-Rod for life along with eight other suspensions for players that are connected to anti-aging clinic Biogenesis and a performance-enhancing drugs scandal. Documents obtained in January by the Miami New Times suggest that many MLB players – including Rodriguez, Melky Cabrera and Bartolo Colon – obtained several banned substances from the clinic, which include human growth hormones and anabolic steroids.

Although a number of players are expected to be penalized and potentially suspended by MLB as early as the end of the week, Rodriguez may receive the harshest penalties, as documents reveal that his involvement in the scandal may be deeper than other players. Selig noted that in addition to potentially levying a lifetime ban, he may also seek to take action under provisions of the collective bargaining agreement that would not allow him to immediately appeal his punishment under sports law.

However, sources familiar with the matter note that A-Rod’s representatives are currently in discussions with MLB and union representatives in the hopes that the popular player may only receive a light suspension for the rest of the season or the 2014 year. While a decision is expected to be made in the coming days, the scenario has led to a divide among sports professionals, with some arguing that a lifetime ban is too severe, while others agree that athletes should be held accountable for violating the integrity of sports.

“I hope he does it,” former commissioner Fay Vincent told USA TODAY Sports. “It’s right for baseball. The harder he comes down, the better it is for baseball.”