Major League Baseball

A-Rod writes letter of apology for actions surrounding suspension

Published Feb. 17, 2015 12:55 p.m. ET

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With the New York Yankees’ pitchers and catchers reporting to spring training this week, and Alex Rodriguez arriving next week, there has been great anticipation for Rodriguez to say something — anything — ahead of putting on pinstripes for the first time since 2013.

Rodriguez, who holds down the No. 5 spot on MLB’s all-time home runs list despite serving a record 162-game suspension for his role in the Biogenesis PED scandal, chose MLB Network and MLB.com on Tuesday as the venue for making his first public statement ahead of arriving in Tampa.

“I take full responsibility for the mistakes that led to my suspension for the 2014 season. I regret that my actions made the situation worse than it needed to be,” wrote Rodriguez, who at 654 home runs is six behind Willie Mays for the No. 4 spot on the career list. Those words were part of a hand-written apology letter first released on MLB Network, in full below:

“To Major league baseball, the Yankees, the Steinbrenner family, the Players Association and you, the fans, I can only say I’m sorry.

“I accept the fact that many of you will not believe my apology or anything that I say at this point. I understand why and that’s on me. It was gracious of the Yankees to offer me the use of Yankee Stadium for this apology, but I decided the next time I am in Yankee Stadium, I should be in pinstripes doing my job.

“I served the longest suspension in the history of the league for PED use. The Commissioner has said the matter is over. The Players Association has said the same. The Yankees have said the next step is to play baseball.

“I’m ready to put this chapter behind me and play some ball.

“This game has been my single biggest passion since I was a teenager. When I go to Spring Training, I will do everything I can to be the best player and teammate possible, earn a spot on the Yankees and help us win.

“Sincerely,  Alex”

Rodriguez, 39, had just seven home runs and 19 RBI while hitting .244 in 44 games for the 2013 Yankees. He played all his games in August and September after returning from a hip injury, then was handed a 211-game suspension in May 2014 that was later reduced to the still-record 162-game punishment.

What kind of impact Rodriguez, who hasn’t hit more than 18 home runs since 2010, will have on the field is debatable, but there’s no denying that his presence will draw throngs of reporters to Tampa in the media vacuum left by the offseason retirement of future Hall of Famer Derek Jeter.

This statement, apologetic and determined, might be the first indication of how Rodriguez plans to handle that attention.

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