YOU WON'T BELIEVE WHAT AROD TESTED POSITIVE FOR...

Or maybe you do...

Yesterday morning, the New York Times released a very interesting, and in-depth look into the Alex Rodriguez hearing (HERE). Part of this article made a claim that ARod tested positive for a banned stimulant in 2006.

"While it is not clear whether MLB has used it as evidence during the proceedings, Mr. Rodriguez tested positive for a banned stimulant in 2006, according to two people involved with baseball's collectively bargained drug-testing program. He was not publicly identified for the positive test because players far suspensions for prohibited stimulants only if they test positive more than once." 

Remember that 2006 was the first year that the MLB banned antihistamines, and many stimulants. If you remember in 2008, ARod made mention of being tested frequently in 2007. While that neither confirms innocence or guilt, I question why he would have so many test done? It makes sense now. My guess is that upon re-test, he was clean, and that is why it did not lead to a suspension. ARod has already released a statement through one of his attorney's, Jim McCarroll.

"Alex Rodriguez was never suspended for use of stimulants. This is the 1st time this has ever been brought to our attention by MLB. The fact that MLB has resorted to leaking federally protected medical information about a player speaks volumes of the weakness of their case against Alex-- and their desperation to secure a win in the arbitration, at all costs."

You can read the full statement on USA Today (HERE). They are denying that ARod ever failed a test under the collective bargaining agreement. I want to remind you that this is an allegation based on a "source." For the life of me, I cannot seem to understand why they are now releasing ARod's name has having failed a drug test. It seems like the MLB is grasping at straws in an attempt for leverage in this case. I mean, if a positive test result only leads to suspension if they test positive twice, then why is this relevant information?

Frankly, this entire thing is a school yard game of the dozens. The MLB now refuses to confirm or deny the results of said exam. The arbitration hearings resume on November 18th. I don't know what, if any, effect this new information will have on the hearings, nor can I confirm the validity of it.

--Erica Morales BYB Senior Writer
Twitter: @e_morales1804


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