A-Rod Calls Out Randy Levine, Team President Makes Jokes About PEDs In Emails
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- We know that things got ugly between Alex Rodriguez and the Yankees last year.
But how ugly did they get, exactly?
Well, pretty darn ugly. And at one point, prior to this scandal, they were quite strange.
A-Rod, of course, was suspended 211 games by Major League Baseball on August 5 for his alleged association with the Biogenesis of America anti-aging clinic and ties to performance-enhancing drugs. The three-time American League MVP appealed his suspension, which only led to more controversy with confusion and mixed signals about when the 38-year-old would make his season debut.
It was a mess, to say the least.
"Can u please stop!!" Rodriguez wrote in an email to Yankees President Randy Levine on August 3, according to New York magazine. "I want to play baseball and I could make a big difference to the game. (George) Steinbrenner would roll in his grave IF he knew what was happening! Stop, Randy, this isn't going to be good for any of us!!
"You are a businessman and what you are doing is ruining the business of baseball. If u want to meet in person to discuss it, let's do it!"
Levine responded two days later, according to the magazine.
"I received your email, the contents of which are a complete shock to me," Levine reportedly wrote. "As I have repeatedly told you, this is an MLB investigation. We had no role in initiating the investigation or assisting in the direction of the investigation. Despite your continued false accusations (which you know are false) we have acted consistently.
"My focus and direction, as well as that of the entire Yankees organization, has been, and continues to be, to treat you in the same manner as we do all of our players, to have you healthy and ready to play as soon as possible. Good luck."
As for that strange part referenced above?
Other emails obtained by New York magazine showed a different side of the club's president. In 2012, with the 14-time All-Star on the shelf with an injury and former Yankee Robinson Cano in a batting slump, Levine reportedly wrote the following message to A-Rod: "How r u feeing since u left Robby under 200, he needs some steroids fast."
According to New York magazine, Levine referenced steroids in another email, writing, "Hey, what's up with Robby. This guy must not be using the liquid."
The magazine reported that Levine said the reference to performance-enhancing drugs was a "bad joke."
The ruling on A-Rod's appeal is expected to be announced some time this month.
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