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NEW YORK -- Alex Rodriguez ended his extended and acrimonious fight with Major League Baseball on Friday, withdrawing a pair of lawsuits and accepting a season-long suspension that marks the longest penalty in the sports history related to performance-enhancing drugs. Rodriguez, who has steadfastly denied using banned substances while with the New York Yankees, made the decision nearly four weeks after arbitrator Fredric Horowitz largely upheld the discipline issued last summer by baseball Commissioner Bud Selig. "I think its a good move for him," former Commissioner Fay Vincent said. "A-Rod had no chance legally, and the commissioner got his authority validated." Rodriguez was among 14 players suspended last summer following MLBs investigation of a Florida anti-aging clinic accused of distributing banned substances. Given the harshest punishment, A-Rod was the only player to contest his penalty. The Major League Baseball Players Association filed a grievance, arguing Rodriguezs 211-game ban was unwarranted or at the very least excessive. Rodriguez also sued MLB and Selig in October, accusing them of "vigilante justice" as part of a "witch hunt" against him. Horowitz presided over 12 days of hearings last fall highlighted by Rodriguezs decision not to testify. Horowitz concluded on Jan. 11 there was "clear and convincing evidence" Rodriguez used three banned substances over the course of three years -- human growth hormone, testosterone and Insulin-like growth factor 1. Horowitz also ruled A-Rod twice tried to obstruct baseballs investigation, but he nonetheless reduced the suspension to 162 games plus the 2014 post-season after weighing it against baseballs "just cause" standard. Rodriguez sued MLB and the union two days later in federal court in Manhattan, claiming the arbitration process was flawed. But the Supreme Court has established narrow grounds for overturning arbitrators decisions, and legal experts said Rodriguez had virtually no chance of succeeding in his attempt to have Horowitzs decision vacated. Without making any admissions, Rodriguezs lawyers filed notices of dismissal in both cases Friday. MLB issued a low-key statement calling the decision to end the litigation "prudent." "We believe that Mr. Rodriguezs actions show his desire to return the focus to the play of our great game on the field and to all of the positive attributes and actions of his fellow major league players," the sport said. "We share that desire." Rodriguez had angered many of his fellow players by suing his own union in an attempt to avoid a suspension. Withdrawing the lawsuits was perhaps the start of mending relationships with fellow players. "Alex Rodriguez has done the right thing by withdrawing his lawsuit," the union said in a statement. "His decision to move forward is in everyones best interest." Rodriguez in 2009 admitted he used banned substances from 2001-03 while with Texas, before baseball had penalties in place for PEDs. After MLBs investigation was sparked 13 months ago by a report in Miami New Times, Rodriguez repeatedly said he had not failed any drug test and claimed evidence provided to MLB by Anthony Bosch, founder of the Biogenesis of America clinic, was not trustworthy. When Horowitz issued his decision, the three-time AL MVP defiantly proclaimed, "No player should have to go through what I have been dealing with." He announced, "I am exhausting all options to ensure not only that I get justice, but that players contracts and rights are protected." But a few hours after the Arizona Diamondbacks became the first team this year to start spring training workouts, and with the Yankees a week from opening camp, Rodriguez folded quietly. He was in Miami on Friday and made no public remarks. "The statements that were issued say everything that needs to be said. We have no further comments on this matter," Joseph Tacopina, one of Rodriguezs nine attorneys, said in an email. Tacopina said Rodriguez no longer intended to report this month to the Yankees training camp in Tampa, Fla. Suspensions only cover regular-season games and the post-season, with exhibitions specifically exempted. Rodriguez will lose most of his $25 million salary -- Horowitz ruled he is entitled to 21-183rds, which comes to $2,868,852.46. The third baseman will be 39 when he is eligible to return in a year, and he has incentive to play during the final three seasons of his contract. The Yankees owe him $21 million in 2015 and $20 million in each of the final two seasons of the record $275 million, 10-year deal. But the 14-time All-Star has been hobbled by injuries in recent years and has not played a full season since 2007. The timing of Rodriguezs decision was set in motion by U.S. District Judge Edgardo Ramos, who on Jan. 30 told the players lawyers to respond by Friday to arguments from MLB and the union that the case should be dismissed. Rodriguez does have one lawsuit remaining. He sued Yankees physician Dr. Christopher Ahmad and New York-Presbyterian Hospital in New York State Supreme Court in October, claiming they mishandled his medical care during the 2012 AL playoffs. Rodriguez later was diagnosed with a hip injury that required surgery and did not return to the Yankees until Aug. 5 -- hours after his suspension was announced by Selig. Marlins Jerseys 2020 . - Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr has nothing but good problems right now. Marlins Jerseys China . Samir Nasris 88th-minute equalizer at Etihad Stadium will be of little consolation to City, which is now six points behind league leader Liverpool and four points behind second-place Chelsea. Third-place City has a game in hand but the surprise result against Sunderland, coupled with Sundays 3-2 loss at Liverpool, may be a setback too far in its bid for a second championship in three seasons. https://www.cheapmarlinsjerseys.us/. -- Canadas Milos Raonic defeated Edouard Roger-Vasselin of France on Saturday to advance to the third round of the BNP Paribas Open. Marlins Jerseys 2019 . MLB executive Joe Torre ruled on Tuesday nights game at Wrigley Field that was called after 4 1-2 innings. The Cubs were declared the winners by a 2-0 score. Now, it is instead a suspended game that will resume at 4:05 p. Miami Marlins Store . Then Klay Thompson put his foot on the gas. Thompson scored 19 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter and Harrison Barnes scored 14 points in his season debut to help the Golden State Warriors to a 106-93 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night.SAN FRANCISCO -- Madison Bumgarner just missed clearing the fences his first time up, hitting a sacrifice fly to the warning track in left field. The pitcher left no doubt the second time he faced Colorado Rockies starter Jorge De La Rosa. Bumgarner hit a grand slam and drove in a career-high five runs to overcome a shaky outing on the mound, sending the San Francisco Giants to a 6-5 victory Friday night. Bumgarner hit a sacrifice fly off De La Rosa in the third inning, then connected for a towering home run in the fourth. It was Bumgarners third career homer and only the second grand slam by a Giants pitcher since the team relocated from New York to San Francisco in 1958. "They dont really expect a whole lot out of pitchers so we get to go up there with no pressure," Bumgarner said. "Its easier to hit that way, but at the same time its the hardest thing to do in sports." Shawn Estes is the only other San Francisco pitcher to hit a grand slam. He did it against Montreal on May 24, 2000, in an 18-0 blowout of the Expos. Bumgarners homer came with the Giants trailing 3-1, and his five RBIs wound up being the difference in the game. "Thats quite a night," San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy said. "He wasnt quite as sharp (on the mound) but he found a way to win the game and he did it with his bat. Good for him." Brandon Crawford added two hits and scored twice for the Giants. Carlos Gonzalez homered for Colorado, which played short-handed after injuries sidelined two of its top hitters. "Any time youre facing Bumgarner you know its going to be a tough at-bat," Gonzalez said. "He threw me a 3-2 curveball and theres no way Im sitting on it. I just reacted ... but things changed after that." Bumgarner (2-0) struck out seven and walked two in six erratic innings. He allowed nine hits and appeared headed for a short night until the Giants scored five runs in the fourth. His home run came on a day when both teams were minus key players. Troy Tulowitzkis sore quadriceps kept him out of Colorados starting lineup. He pinch-hit in the ninth and struck out looking against closer Sergio Romo to end the game. The Rockies also werre without catcher Wilin Rosario, who hurt his left wrist while sliding during Wednesdays 8-1 win against the Chicago White Sox.dddddddddddd San Francisco played with a jumbled lineup as Bochy rested catcher Buster Posey and centre fielder Angel Pagan. There were still plenty of offensive fireworks. Gonzalez hit a two-run shot off Bumgarner in the third to put the Rockies up 3-0. The ball landed in McCovey Cove, the second time Colorados slugger has reached the waters beyond AT&T Park. Bumgarner, a right-handed batter, came a few feet shy of homering off De La Rosa (0-2) in the third and hit a sacrifice fly to drive in Crawford, who led off the inning with a triple. There was no doubt about Bumgarners drive in the fourth. He sent De La Rosas first pitch deep into the left field stands for his first home run since 2012. De La Rosa, Colorados opening day starter, failed to make it out of the fifth for the third consecutive start. He struck out six and walked two. "It looked like his command got away from him," Rockies manager Walt Weiss said. "He had his A game early, then it got away from him." Bumgarner wasnt sharp either and laboured most of the game. He threw 112 pitches and gave up four runs, ending a streak of 21 consecutive starts in which he allowed three earned runs or fewer. Colorado cut it to 6-5 on Charlie Blackmons pinch-hit single off reliever Santiago Casilla in the eighth but made two baserunning blunders. Blackmon strayed too far off second and was thrown out after Casilla made a nice play to spear Jordan Pachecos fielders choice. Pacheco then got doubled up when San Francisco centre fielder Juan Perez caught DJ LeMahieus flyball and threw to first. Romo struck out the side in the ninth for his third save. The Rockies went up 1-0 in the first when leadoff hitter Brandon Barnes singled and later scored from third while Josh Rutledge was caught trying to steal second. Rutledge started in place of Tulowitzki and went 3 for 4. NOTES: Gonzalez has five career home runs off Bumgarner, the most given up by the San Francisco lefty. ... LHP Brett Anderson (0-2) pitches Saturday against San Francisco RHP Matt Cain (0-1). ' ' '
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