MORE CASUALTIES IN THE AROD WAR

It seems everyone is taking a hit in the Alex Rodriguez saga. If you have ever batted an eyelash in his direction, you are probably on the list of people going down.

The latest is a court suit filed by MLB against his former PR rep, Michael Sitrick. According to Andrew Marchand for ESPN (HERE) "MLB has filed a petition in Manhattan Supreme Court that clams Sitrick has declined to hand over documents baseball believes ARod or people close to him gathered for the apparent purpose of preventing MLB from obtaining those records and from uncovering evidence of Rodriguez's use and possession of prohibited substances." 

ARod and his camp, who have already denied allegations that he purchased these stolen documents, once again went on record this week. Joseph Tacopina released the following statement:

"As we have said all a log, Alex has never bought any document related to Biogenesis, and he has repeatedly turned down offers from various individuals who approached him about buying them. Alex unequivocally denies having exposed any players. This is MLB's desperate cry for help. What happened to the 'overwhelming mountain' of evidence against Alex? Having now rested its case against Alex, this effort makes clear to the world that MLB doesn't have what they said they have. What is perhaps most shocking-- and the best evidence of their desperation-- is that MLB would do this during the World Series." 

Tacopina makes a valid point. Did not the MLB say they had enough evidence against ARod to ban him from baseball for life? When Rob Manfred admitted to paying for stolen documents, the MLB said it was a moot point, since they had enough evidence against ARod, even if they couldn't use those documents.

The MLB of course fired back with their own statement.

"We continue to be at a loss to explain how Mr. Tacopina can take the position that his client has done nothing wrong. First, it was Mr. Rodriguez did not use drugs. Now, it is he did not obstruct the investigation. Those statements are simply and demonstrably inaccurate. The action we took yesterday was necessitated by continuing efforts y Mr. Rodriguez's lawyers to engage in a purposeful coverup."

The bottom line here is that these arbitration hearings are supposed to determine the fate of ARod's 211 game suspension, and both sides are making it a circus! Frankly, fans are sick and tired of it. Do whatever you have to do legally, but for the love of baseball, stop the madness! The fact is that some of us are actually paying attention to the World Series. That takes precedence over this ARod stuff. And all of this is exhausting. It's become the equivalent of a school yard fight between the two sides.

The hearings should begin again on November 18th. The MLB has rested it's case against ARod, so now it is up to Tacopina, and the rest of the legal team to build their case for ARod.

--Erica Morales BYB Senior Writer
Twitter: @e_morales1804



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