Major League Baseball handed down 13 suspensions yesterday–the move came as a result of a league investigation into the Florida anti-aging clinic Biogenesis, which had reportedly been supplying players with human growth hormone and other performance-enhancing drugs.
Twelve of the players, which included a number of All-Stars like Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz, Padres shortstop Everth Cabrera, and Tigers shortstop Jhonny Peralta, were suspended for 50 games.Â
But Yankees star Alex Rodriguez, or A-Rod, received a harsher penalty: the player was hit with an unprecedented 211-game suspension. The MLB banned A-Rod through the 2014 season, saying in a statement that it came down harder on Rodriguez because he attempted to cover up his connection to Biogenesis. The suspension goes into effect on Thursday.
But Rodriguez thinks the MLB was too tough on him and he is planning to appeal the 211-game suspension. Under league rules, he is allowed to play until an arbitrator decides the case.
Jay Goldberg spent 15 years as a sports agent and now owns Bergino Baseball Clubhouse, a baseball-related shop and gallery. He joins us to break down the consequences of the punishment for A-Rod, the MLB, and baseball fans.