When it comes to baseball, Alex Rodriguez is undoubtedly a household name regardless of that household’s team preference. The Yankees are one of the most well-known teams in the world and this Yankee is on par with players like Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, Joe DiMaggio, and his very own teammate, Derek Jeter. Despite his obvious talent on the field and in the batter’s box, A-Rod may unfortunately be remembered for something other: his drug use. There has been speculation about his drug use throughout the majority of his baseball career. In fact, in 2003 he, along with 104 other anonymous players, tested positive for performance enhancing drugs. Through a union bargain agreement there was no punishment or penalty for those players. This time, A-Rod is paying for it.

In 2009, when news broke of Rodriguez’s 2003 positive tests results, he seemed apologetic. In fact, after he admitted using the “banned substance” he claimed in an interview with ESPN to be “very sorry and deeply regretful.” Clearly he was not regretful enough to stop because over a decade later he still is making the same mistakes.

In the beginning of August it was confirmed that the athlete, along with thirteen others, received human growth hormone from Biogenesis of America, an anti-aging clinic in Florida. For both this and his use of the hormone and testosterone over the years, the MLB suspended A-Rod for the 2014 season: a punishment that would exclude him from 211 regular-season games and additional post season games. Meanwhile, the other accused athletes were each sentenced to fifty game suspensions. Immediately upon hearing of the decision, Rodriquez announced that he would appeal the decision and hired New York defense lawyer Joe Tacopina. He was the only player of the thirteen to do so.

On January 11, the original suspension was reduced to only 162 games plus any postseason games. While this may shorten his time on the bench, it still will keep him off the field for the entire 2014 season. Despite this negotiation, the Yankee still claims that he will fight the decision in federal court.

After years of illegal drug use, Alex Rodriguez is going to suffer the consequences. Rather, Alex Rodriguez is supposed to suffer the consequences. He is clearly guilty so there should be no reason why he should not endure the punishment. Yet he is still fighting to appeal the charges for a crime he committed. It may be an unfair reality but there is certainly a possibility that the suspension may continue to decrease.

After years of playing ball, A-Rod should be treating the situation more like a game of baseball where the rules apply to everyone and the decision is final.

 – Claire McAndrew

Sources: ESPN.com, NYPost.com, NYTimes.com