New York Yankees' Alex Rodriguez, right, talks during a news conference before the Yankees play the Chicago White Sox in a baseball game at US Cellular Field in Chicago on Monday, Aug. 5, 2013. Rodriguez was suspended through 2014 and All-Stars Nelson Cruz, Jhonny Peralta and Everth Cabrera were banned 50 games apiece Monday when Major League Baseball disciplined 13 players in a drug case, the most sweeping punishment since the Black Sox scandal nearly a century ago. (AP Photo/Charles Cherney)
August 05, 2013 - 4:19 PM
CHICAGO - Alex Rodriguez says he's fighting for his life.
The embattled New York Yankees' slugger did not deny using performance enhancing drugs on Monday in a news conference after Major League Baseball suspended him through the 2014 season. He said he will talk about whether he used PEDs at another time when he is more free to speak.
He did, however, dig in for a battle, saying no one else will defend him unless he stands up for himself.
In A-Rod's words: "I'm a human being. I've had two hip surgeries. I've had two knee surgeries. I'm fighting for my life."
The three-time MVP was one of 13 players disciplined on Monday, one of the biggest mass suspensions in the history of the game.
All-Stars Nelson Cruz, Jhonny Peralta and Everth Cabrera were banned 50 games each, while Rodriguez received the harshest penalty of all.
News from © The Associated Press, 2013