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| ALEX RODRIGUEZ ON WEDNESDAY |
The case now appears headed to federal court.
Joe Tacopina,one of Rodriguez's lawyers told reporters,"We'll head to another venue after this is done. We will be able to oppose Mr.Selig one way or another."
In response to Rodriguez walking out of the hearing yesterday and his appearence on WFAN radio MLB issued a statement,"MLB selected COO Rob Manfred as it's witness to explain the penalty imposed in this case. Mr.Rodriguez and the Players Association have no right to dictate how Baseball's case is to proceed any more that Baseball has the right to dictate how their case proceeds. Today's antics are an obvious attempt to justify Mr.Rodriguez's continuing refusal to testify under oath."
James McCarroll another of Rodriguez's lawyers issued a statment yesterday that basically said this was the first decision under the drug agreement that did not involve a 'positive test'. The commissioner's discretion and decision-making was involved in issuing the penalty. McCaroll stated that 'in the past' commissioners have been harshly criticized for not voluntarily appearing at a grievance,possibly refering to previous commissioner Peter Ueberroth and the LaMarr Hoyt case in 1987.
Both sides are scheduled to file briefs and reply briefs in December which will end the record of the hearing.
Baseballs 'Joint Drug Agreement' states that the arbitrator should make all reasonable efforts to render a decision within 25 days of the start of the hearing. Since the hearing began on September 30th this is impossible. Therefore the decision is not expected till January.
This complicates the New York Yankees offseason.They don't know if they will have to pay Rodriguez $ 25 million next year.
And more importantly,they don't know who will play third base.
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