Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/146135
2B Daily News – Thursday, July 25, 2013 MLB NFL Will Alex Rodriguez play for the Yankees again? Miller offers little on case, suspension NEW YORK (AP) — Alex Rodriguez certainly leads the New York Yankees in headlines this season even though he hasn't played a single major league game. Injuries have kept him away from the team since last year's playoffs, and now Rodriguez faces discipline from Major League Baseball in its drug investigation, possibly up to a lifetime ban. ''The likelihood of a severe punishment for Rodriguez is very high,'' former Commissioner Fay Vincent said Wednesday. The three-time AL MVP who turns 38 Saturday is among more than a dozen players MLB has targeted following allegations they were linked to a Florida clinic accused of distributing performance-enhancing drugs. After Ryan Braun's agreement to accept a 65game suspension earlier this week, attention has turned to Rodriguez, who four years ago admitted using PEDs while with Texas from 2001-03. He has repeatedly denied using them since, and MLB has never said he failed a test. Lawyers for MLB and the players' association were set to resume discussions about the Biogenesis investigation Thursday. Though it was unclear who might be penalized next, all eyes were on A-Rod. The Yankees expect Rodriguez to be accused of using PEDs over multiple seasons, of recruiting other athletes for the clinic, of attempting to obstruct MLB's investigation, and of not being truthful with MLB in the past when he discussed his relationship with Dr. Anthony Galea, who pleaded guilty two years ago to a federal charge of bringing unapproved drugs into the United States from Canada. ''The mess seems very large indeed,'' said John Thorn, baseball's official historian. ''If a lifetime suspension is being brooded about and a plea bargain would involve something lesser but still very substantial, that's a whole bucket of tar dumped on his legacy.'' With 647 home runs, fifth on the career list and 115 shy of matching Barry Bonds' career record, Rodriguez is among the most prodigious sluggers in baseball history. And his record contracts have put him in the spotlight, first a $252 million, 10-year deal with Texas that started in 2001 and later a $275 million, 10-year agreement with the Yankees that began in 2008. But his body has been breaking down and he's been on the disabled list six times in six years. Right hip surgery in March 2009 was followed by left hip surgery this January, three months after the Yankees repeatedly pinch hit for A-Rod and benched him during the playoffs. Just when it appeared he was ready to rejoin the Yankees this week, the team said he strained his left quadriceps. Rodriguez has acknowledged taking PEDs before baseball started penalizing their use. In 2009, he attributed his decision to being ''young and stupid'' A'S (Continued from page 1B) runs in any way that we can.'' Blackley was disappointed that he didn't execute against Crisp. ''I just didn't do my job,'' he said. ''I got ahead like I was trying to do and I just left one about three inches too high and he did his job well and took care of it.'' John Jaso had a solo homer in the first inning for the A's, who have won 11 of 12 against Houston this season. It was the 21st win for Oakland in a onerun game which is the most in the American League. A.J. Griffin (9-7) allowed six hits and three runs and tied a season-high with eight strikeouts in 6 1-3 innings for the win. ''I felt like I had the best stuff I've had this year,'' he said. ''My lanes were good to the plate with all my pitches. I felt like I was doing a good job of keeping my delivery the same for every pitch and keeping them off-balance for the most part. That was the most locked in I've felt in a long time, pretty much all year.'' 49ERS (Continued from page 1B) lot of eyes are on us now, even more than last year and the year before. You have to make good decisions, hang out with the right people, make good choices and he's going to do that from here on out.'' While Whitner has been supportive helping Brooks through his offfield business, he is hopeful that his own unsettled contract situa- and agreed to work for the Taylor Hooton Foundation to combat steroids. If it turns out he was violating drug rules all along, his reputation may be beyond repair. ''There's no question it's been diminished, and more than many of his contemporaries that also were involved, because in his case the perception now is that the use has been ongoing,'' NBC and MLB Network broadcaster Bob Costas said. ''Now that could change if he somehow successfully defends himself, but if that doesn't happen, then the perception would be that it was not confined to a certain period of time, so it would be impossible to parse how much of his performance was unaided and how much was aided. The shame of all of it is that he clearly would have been an all-time great player without ever using performance-enhancing drugs.'' Fox broadcaster and former major league catcher Tim Carver said he regards Rodriguez ''unfortunately, the way I view Ryan Braun, and that's not good. And I viewed A-Rod as a really good guy. Tarnished is understated in these times.'' While positive tests lead to a set series of punishments — 50 games for a first offense, 100 games for a second and a lifetime ban for a third — MLB is not bound by that for players in the Biogenesis probe because the fixed penalties are only for failed urine and blood tests. ''In theory, they could be suspended for five games or 500 games,'' union head Michael Weiner said. Braun negotiated the length of his penalty rather than contest it before an arbitrator. If Rodriguez were to file a grievance, a suspension probably would be pushed back until after a decision and would be delayed until next year. Vincent learned in the Steve Howe case that lifetime bans are difficult to enforce. He suspended the pitcher for life in June 1992 for Howe's seventh incident related to drugs or alcohol, but Howe was reinstated that November by arbitrator George Nicolau. Despite that, Vincent feels current Commissioner Bud Selig should not be reticent about pursuing a stiff penalty against Rodriguez. ''I think he ought to come down very hard. I don't think he has much to lose, and everything to gain,'' Vincent said. Rodriguez has been a non-factor in the Yankees' season, and much of his $28 million salary this year is being covered by insurance. He is owed an additional $86 million in salary over the next four seasons. Costas sees a rules change regarding the salary in long-term contracts as the most effective deterrent to drug use. He says management and players should reopen the labor contract and add a new provision. ''If you are found to have used PEDs and you exhaust your appeals ... and you're in the midst of a long-term contract, the team has the right at its discretion to void the contract,'' he said. ''That's an enormous disincentive.'' He continued to be plagued by the long ball though, giving up two more on Wednesday to give him 23 this season which is tied for secondmost in the majors. He joked about adding to his home run total. ''That's pretty me, I guess,'' he said. Jose Altuve tied it at 1 with a homer in the fourth inning and Carlos Corporan's two-run homer gave Houston a 3-1 lead in the sixth. Norris yielded four hits and three runs with seven strikeouts in 6 1-3 innings. It could be the last start for Norris as an Astro at Minute Maid Park with the trade deadline approaching and Houston embarking on a 10-game road trip. As the highest paid player on this rebuilding team with a $3 million salary, Norris, who has spent his entire career with the Astros, has been the subject of trade speculation. ''It's something that I prepared myself for last night and the days leading up to it,'' Norris said. ''So it definitely was a little emotional and the fans really knew about it too which was pretty special. I just went out there and threw a good ball game as best I could and gave my team a chance to win. Unfortunately it was a tough one.'' Norris pitched better than he had in his last two tough starts where he allowed 17 hits and 13 runs combined in two losses. The Astros had a chance to tie it in the eighth inning with runners at first and second and one out. But Jesse Chavez retired Corporan before Ryan Cook came in and got Brett Wallace on a flyout to end the threat. Cook remained in for the ninth and got his second save. Jaso's homer to with one out in the first inning gave Oakland a 1-0 lead. Norris got right back on track after that and struck out Josh Donaldson and Jed Lowrie to end the inning. Griffin didn't allow a hit until Marc Krauss singled with two outs in the third inning. Altuve opened Houston's fourth with his fourth home run of the season to tie it. Jason Castro hit a double with one-out in the sixth before Corporan's two-out shot to the seats in right field put Houston up 3-1. Norris had retired seven in a row before Jaso walked to start the sixth inning. Norris then plunked Josh Donaldson, but he escaped the jam by sitting down the next three batters, ending the inning by striking out Brandon Moss. tion will in time work out so that he stays with the 49ers beyond this season. The eighth-year defensive back is beginning the final year of an $11.75 million, threeyear deal he signed before the 2011 season. Whitner, who celebrated his 28th birthday Wednesday with a handful of Skittles rather than cake so he can maintain his weight, last week posted on Twitter his desire to stay put with the 49ers. ''I love the Niners! But will I be here next yr?'' he said in one Tweet, before following it up with, ''Don't get it twisted! I WANT to be here.'' He said he took to social media with his contract desires because he enjoys engaging the fans — and it sure doesn't hurt that 49ers CEO Jed York is an active Twitter man himself. ''He follows me,'' Whitner said, chuckling. ''Oh, a lot of fans like stuff like that. We don't really look at it like a distraction. Most of my teammates haven't even seen it or heard about it, so it's really just for the fans.'' Yet the hard-hitting Whitner is thinking about his long-term future. He had 83 tackles, two forced fumbles and an interception last season for the two-time defending NFC West champions. He is eager to get started again and to try to get back to the Super Bowl. ''Anybody who ever says it's not a concern, they're probably lying,'' Yoenis Cespedes was back in the lineup after not starting five games because of a sore left wrist and hit a single in the second inning. The Home Run Derby champ made his first appearance since the All-Star break as a pinch-hitter on Tuesday night. NOTES: Jaso was replaced at catcher by Derek Norris for the eighth inning after taking a ball off his mask. He had a headache and Melvin said he would be monitored for possible symptoms of a concussion. ... Oakland selected INF Adam Rosales from Triple-A Sacramento on Wednesday and designated INF Vinnie Catricala for assignment. ... Oakland's Dan Straily (6-3) is scheduled to pitch against Los Angeles lefthander C.J. Wilson (10-6) when the A's open a fourgame series with the Angels. ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — In many ways, it was the same Von Miller: Diamond stud earrings, the retro, 70s-style sunglasses, a casual way of breaking the ice as he sat down inside a suffocating semicircle of about 60 reporters and cameramen. ''Howdy, how's it going?'' he said. Aside from those superficialities, the normally free-flowing Broncos linebacker never sounded more stilted and scripted than he did Wednesday, on the eve of Denver's training camp. Reporters directed 18 questions toward Miller, each angling at a different way of trying to get him to offer a detail — any detail — about the drug case that will cost him the first four games of the season if he doesn't win an appeal. But the All-Pro, Denver's leading sack man for the past two years, never budged. ''Out of respect for confidentiality and out of respect for this being an ongoing situation, I can't really touch on further details about it,'' he said. He repeated the scripted remarks about respecting the confidentiality of the process four more times and used the phrase ''business as usual'' three times. He learned from one of the best, the amiably insipid John Fox, who walked into the head-coach's news conference knowing precisely what he'd be asked but acting almost as if there wasn't anything to discuss. ''We are aware of the reports,'' Fox said. ''Due to confidentiality, we can't report. But I can sit here and tell you here, as of right now when we start camp, every one of our players is eligible, there are no suspensions and that is the way we will start the season.'' Meaning, Fox said, that Miller will practice with the first team until the NFL offers official word about his appeal. If Miller does not win the appeal, he can practice with the Broncos through their last preseason game, Aug. 29, after which he would be banished from the team for the next four weeks. If he does win the appeal, no official announcement will come and Miller will be on the field for the opener, Sept. 5 against Baltimore. Either way, the man who recorded 30 sacks for Denver over his first two seasons promised that ''when this is all done and resolved, I will sit down with all you guys and be candid about everything.'' In the meantime, he confirmed as true a statement from the union asserting Miller's positive test had nothing to do with performance-enhancing drugs. Under the NFL's PED policy, a first-time offense nets a suspension. Under its more general substance-abuse policy, players are placed into Stage 2 of the policy after initial positive tests. Once in Stage 2, a player is subject to a four-game suspension for subsequent positive tests. The Denver Post has reported Miller tested positive for marijuana and amphetamine use during his rookie season in 2011, which is what led to him being placed in Stage 2 of the drug program. Asked bluntly if marijuana — now legal in Colorado — is part of his life, Miller responded: ''Absolutely not.'' Does he have any regrets? ''Like I said, I can't really touch on too much stuff about that,'' he said. If Miller does miss time, the first option to replace him would be Shaun Phillips, the 10-year veteran the Broncos signed during draft week as a potential replacement for Elvis Dumervil. Miller and Dumervil accounted for 29 1/2 of Denver's league-leading 52 sacks last season. Other candidates to move into Miller's strongside linebacker spot, considered the fulcrum of a Jack Del Riocoached defense, include middle linebacker Nate Irving and fifth-round draft pick Quanterus Smith, who led the nation in sacks during his senior season at Western Kentucky despite missing his last two games with a torn left ACL, which has healed. Has Fox thought about Plan B? ''No,'' he said. ''Because that's not reality.'' Reality is, however, that the Broncos have had a distraction-filled few weeks leading into training camp. (Continued from page 1B) ing little money for stars or depth. But the players remain optimistic about the team's situation. McKenzie and coach Dennis Allen. Most of the roster has been overhauled since they took over following the 2011 season and much of the focus has been on shedding big contracts and former high picks who failed to work out in Oakland. About 40 percent of Oakland's salary cap will be dedicated to accelerated bonuses for players no longer on the team, leav- ''I think coach Allen and Mr. McKenzie have done a great job in this offseason, and I think we've done a great job in this offseason in the OTAs and minicamps,'' offensive lineman Tony Bergstrom said. ''I think all the pieces are there now and it's just a matter of getting them working together in the right way in this camp.'' Whitner said of landing new contracts. ''It's always a concern, especially when you're in the business that's so physical and you never know what's going to happen on the football field.'' San Francisco's first full-squad practice is Thursday. The first workout in full pads is expected to be Saturday. Notes: LB Patrick Willis and RB Frank Gore each said he believed everybody had passed conditioning tests Wednesday, though the team didn't have official word. Willis spoke to the team after last month's minicamp about keeping a good thing going and maintaining an edge in a much-improved division and with a daunting schedule ahead. ''I just talk when something's on my heart,'' he said. ''When you just glance at the schedule it's like, 'Wow, this is a heck of a schedule.'' ... Whitner recently traveled to London on a scouting trip to visit Wembley Stadium ahead of the team's Oct. 27 game with Jacksonville. CAMP