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2B Daily News – Wednesday, July 31, 2013 MLB WORLDS Source: A-Rod may be US shines at suspended under labor deal swimming championships NEW YORK (AP) — Alex Rodriguez may have to start serving a suspension as soon as it is announced rather than wait for a grievance to play out. Major League Baseball may try to suspend A-Rod under its collective bargaining agreement instead of its drug rules, which would eliminate any chance of delaying a penalty until after the case goes to an arbitrator, The Associated Press has learned. Rodriguez has never been disciplined for a drug offense, and a first offender under baseball's Joint Drug Agreement is entitled to an automatic stay if the players' association files a grievance — meaning the penalty is put on hold until after an arbitrator rules. While use of banned performance-enhancing substances falls under the drug agreement, MLB may argue other alleged violations are punishable under the labor contract, a person familiar with management's deliberations told the AP, speaking on condition of anonymity because no statements were authorized. Taking that action would prevent the New York Yankees third baseman from returning to the field, even if he recovers from a quadriceps injury cited by the team as the reason for keeping him on the disabled list. And merely threatening to use that provision might give MLB leverage to force a deal. The Yankees expect Rodriguez to be accused 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. Four years ago, Rodriguez admitted using PEDs while with Texas from 2001-03. He has repeatedly denied using them since. Baseball has been investigating Rodriguez and other players since a January report in the Miami New Times alleging they received PEDs from Biogenesis of America, a closed anti-aging clinic on Florida. ''We're still involved in the process of preparing for an eventual appeal in this matter,'' Rodriguez's lawyer, David Cornwell, said Monday on ESPN New York Radio. ''My understanding is that the next step that is going to be taken is that the players' association and baseball will meet to discuss the investigation and baseball's focus on particular players. So we'll see how that process plays out. But at this point my understanding or my expectation is that we're going to be working through the process towards an appeal.'' Cornwell did not return an email seeking comment. Aside from the drug agreement, there is no automatic stay for suspensions under baseball's labor contract. Rodriguez could be punished under Article XII (B) of the Basic Agreement, which states: ''Players may be disciplined for just cause for conduct that is materially detrimental or materially prejudicial to the best interests of baseball including, but not limited to, engaging in conduct in violation of federal, state or local law.'' If suspended under that section, Rodriguez would serve the penalty while a grievance is litigated before arbitrator Fredric Horowitz — unless the union asks for a stay and the arbitrator grants one, which would be unusual under the grievance procedure. And baseball could always try to punish A-Rod on drug violations later. It would be difficult for Commissioner Bud Selig to remove the arbitrator from the process. A provision in Article XI gives the commissioner permission to rule instead of the arbitrator on a complaint ''involving the preservation of the integrity of, or the maintenance of public confidence in, the game of baseball.'' But a letter from Selig that is Attachment 1 states: ''I understand that the players' association has expressed concern that the commissioner might take some action pursuant to Article XI (A) (1) (b) of the Basic Agreement which could negate rights of players under the new Basic Agreement. While I have difficulty seeing that this is a real problem, I am quite willing to assure the association that the commissioner will take no such action.'' In addition, if Selig attempted to bypass the arbitrator, the union would have the right to reopen the labor contract with respect to that provision. Cornwell would not respond to a report in the New York Daily News on Monday that said Selig would not pursue a lifetime ban if Rodriguez accepted a suspension through 2014. ''There's been all sorts of reports, all sorts of sources and all sorts of breaking news and breathless coverage, and I don't feel any need to respond to any of it,'' Cornwell told ESPN. In announcing Ryan Braun's 65-game suspension last week, MLB cited violations of both the labor contract and drug agreement. A person familiar with that deal, speaking on condition of anonymity because no statements were authorized, said 50 games of the penalty for the 2011 NL MVP were connected to Biogenesis. The additional 15 games stemmed from the Milwaukee outfielder's actions during the grievance that overturned his October 2011 positive test for testosterone. Cornwell represented Braun in the 2012 hearing before arbitrator Shyam Das, but said he was not involved in Braun's agreement to be suspended. Rodriguez, who turned 38 Saturday, has not played this season following hip surgery in January. The three-time AL MVP, fifth on the career list with 647 home runs, appeared to be on the verge of rejoining New York on July 22, but the Yankees said a day earlier that an MRI revealed a strained quadriceps. Rodriguez pushed to be activated last Friday, but the Yankees said he wouldn't even resume a minor league injury rehabilitation assignment until Aug. 1. Rodriguez then went on a New York radio station to criticize the team's decision. The Miami New Times story was prompted by information provided by Porter Fischer, an ex-Biogenesis employee. ''What's been made public are various documents that a disgruntled ex-employee of Biogenesis allegedly stole. I would imagine we'll spend time talking with the arbitrators about the documents and things of that nature, their authenticity, their relevancy, the reliability,'' Cornwell told ESPN. Gary Smith, a spokesman for Fischer, responded in an email: ''Cornwell can get in line with many others who want to attack Porter Fischer for exposing the truth and is left without support. He did it because it was the right thing to do.'' Also Monday, Toronto manager John Gibbons said he thinks Blue Jays outfielder Melky Cabrera won't be penalized. Cabrera, MVP of the 2012 All-Star game, was banned for 50 games last year for a positive testosterone test while with San Francisco. ''We don't think anything's going to happen,'' Gibbons said. ''We think, because he served his time, it's over with. I haven't given it much thought and the GM hasn't talked much about it.'' GOLF Mickelson still pinching self after Open win AKRON, Ohio (AP) — Phil Mickelson has no doubt what will be most remembered from his career. ''It will always be the '04 Masters and showing off my Olympic jumping ability,'' he cracked of his celebratory hop, which will never be mistaken for Michael Jordan leaving the launch pad. But there's also no question in his mind of what he thinks is his most significant victory. ''For me, personally, (winning) the British Open is the greatest accomplishment I could ever get in my career,'' he said Tuesday, nine days after capturing the claret jug at Muirfield with a stirring final-round flourish. After a week off, preparing on Monday for next week's PGA Championship and now trying to focus on this week's Bridgestone Invitational, Mickelson remains stunned that he actually won an event he thought would always be out of his grasp. He still isn't convinced he actually did it. ''I'm looking forward to in the coming years looking back and remembering Muirfield, remembering the '13 Open and remembering all the things that happened on that back nine,'' he said during preparations for the Bridgestone Invitational, which begins Thursday. Mickelson always felt an affinity for Augusta National and the Masters, FLYNN (Continued from page 1B) Part of what has solidified Flynn's hold on the job is that neither Pryor nor Tyler Wilson has seized it the way Russell Wilson did a year ago. Pryor, who provided a spark when he started the season finale last year, is still far too inconsistent throwing where he won in 2004, '06 and '10. He erased all the speculation of whether he would ever win a major in 2004, when he rolled in the clinching birdie putt on the 18th and ''leaped,'' his spikes barely leaving the ground. ''I always knew that I was going to win the Masters because I had played well there for so many years,'' he said. He also believed he could win a PGA Championship, which he crossed off his list in 2005 at Baltusrol. Sure, there was the lingering heartache of continually being a bridesmaid at the U.S. Open — a record six times. But at least he was a threat to win it many years. He thought he did this year at Merion. But he was wrong, as were all of those who thought he was a lock to win American's national championship at some point long before this. ''I had something happen to me Sunday morning of the U.S. Open that was really weird,'' he said in an almost conspiratorial tone. ''When I woke up, I had dreamt that I had already won the U.S. Open.'' He felt euphoria. He felt himself lifting the trophy, the gallery roaring for a long awaited and much anticipated triumph. ''It took me over a minute to realize that I haven't played the final round and that I've still got to go out and do it,'' he said. ''And I still have not won it.'' the ball but can be a dual threat as a scrambler or runner. Pryor has worked hard on improving his mechanics, spending the offseason working with former major league pitcher Tom House, who has also coached Tom Brady and Drew Brees. ''I found out that I was leaving my chest open a lot so it was making me late,'' Pryor said. ''So when I was coming down to throw with The British Open, however, was never his cup of Earl Grey. He floundered in the wind and sideways rain, struggled in the heather and high weeds, fell apart while others made late charges. He was seldom even near the leaderboard. But that all changed at Muirfield. He's still pinching himself. ''It was so difficult for me to play my best golf in the British Open under those conditions than any other tournament,'' he said. ''To win that is the greatest accomplishment for me in my career.'' Now he's trying to focus on what's next, instead of what just happened. That's not easy, but he shows signs of coming out of his post-Muirfield celebration, just in time for the final major of the year, the PGA at Oak Hill. ''There's an opportunity to add to this year and make it every bit as special as it can be,'' he said, looking ahead. ''I want to make sure I give myself every chance to play well because I've been playing some of my best golf the last few months.'' He's primed to continue it. His close friend and Ryder Cup partner, Keegan Bradley, was joking around with Mickelson a couple of days ago. Bradley is the defending champion of the Bridgestone, and teased Mickelson about the lofty title placed on every British Open champion. my left arm, my right arm was saying it's time to go, the timing wasn't right. He kind of helped me with that. It's definitely helping shoot the ball a lot more and better. My thing looking in the mirror last year was I need to be more accurate.'' Tyler Wilson is an intriguing prospect who was drafted in the fourth round out of Arkansas. But he is still adjusting to the NFL game as evidenced by one practice early in camp when he threw three interceptions in a stretch of four plays. NOTES: RB Latavius Murray, WR Jacoby Ford and OL Lucas Nix were among the injured players who did not practice. ... WR Conner Vernon, DL Stacy McGee and OL Alex Parsons were injured during practice. ... The Raiders have their first day off Wednesday. BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Missy Franklin got the Americans rolling. Then Katie Ledecky really fired 'em up. By the end of the night, the U.S. team was awash in medals at the world swimming championships. Franklin and Ledecky each won her second gold medal of the meet, Matt Grevers led a 1-2 American finish in the backstroke, and there was plenty of reason to celebrate for the red, white and blue on Tuesday. ''We've had an absolutely incredible evening,'' Franklin said. ''I'm so proud of all my teammates.'' In all, the Americans claimed three golds, two silvers and a bronze — a strong meet for most nations, certainly quite a haul in a mere two hours. ''A big night for us,'' said Bob Bowman, head coach of the U.S. men's team. Everyone was raving about Ledecky, only 16 but already well on her way to becoming one of the country's great distance swimmers. She obliterated the world record in the 1,500-meter freestyle, which may be a non-Olympic event for the women but did nothing to diminish the magnitude of her accomplishment. After going stroke for stroke with Denmark's Lotte Friis most of the race, with both well under world-record pace, Ledecky really turned it on over the final 200 and beat the mark by more than 6 seconds. Friis also went under the old record, and all it got her was silver. ''It was motivating watching Katie destroy the world record from the ready room,'' Grevers said. ''That really got us psyched.'' Franklin cruised through a demanding double, easily winning the 100 backstroke before returning about an hour later to post the second-fastest time in the semifinals of the 200 free. ''It's tough, but it's fun,'' the 18-year-old said. ''I'm super happy with my 100 back. It really got me pumped up for the 200 free.'' Grevers touched ahead of teammate David Plummer in the 100 backstroke, and there were Americans on the podium in all five finals. Conor Dwyer picked up a silver behind France's Yannick Agnel in the 200 free, and Jessica Hardy chipped in with a bronze in the 100 breaststroke won by Lithuania's Ruta Meilutyte. The only disappointment for the U.S. was Ryan Lochte, who labored to a fourth-place finish in the 200 free. ''It wasn't my night,'' the three-time Olympian said. ''But I have to put it behind me because I still have many races to swim.'' He hopes to compete in seven events in Barcelona, despite not being able to train as much as usual this year while taking part in his reality television show, ''What Would Ryan Lochte Do?'' ''It was kind of a tough swim for him,'' Bowman said. ''He has obviously not had a season with his characteristic preparation. But he's racing tough. He'll be back tomorrow. He'll be fine.'' Ledecky is clearly in top form. She nearly broke the world record in winning the 400 free before leaving no doubt about the 1,500, touching in a time 15 minutes, 36.53 seconds — nearly a half-lap ahead of the line superimposed on the video screen marking the pace of Kate Ziegler's mark from six years ago, 15:42.54. ''She's probably made in the same factory as Michael Phelps,'' marveled Mereia Belmonte of Spain, who finished far back in fourth. Friis took silver in 15:38.88, with New Zealand's Lauren Boyle grabbing the bronze. ''I knew that world record was going down tonight, but 6 seconds!'' Franklin said. ''All of us were totally in awe.'' Ledecky looks even stronger than she did last year while winning Olympic gold in the 800 free, a stunning breakthrough for someone barely known on the international stage. Naturally, after that performance, she arrived in Barcelona dealing with the weight of hefty expectations. Plus, she decided to take on an exhausting program that also includes the 800 free. No problem. ''I knew we were going pretty fast, and I figured that whoever was going to come out on top was probably going to get the world record,'' said Ledecky, who's going into her junior year of high school. ''So I just had to be careful not to push it too early or push it too late and just touch the wall first.'' Franklin breezed to victory in the 100 back in 58.42 seconds. After capturing four golds and a bronze at the London Olympics, the recent high school graduate is trying to join Phelps as the only swimmers to win eight events at a major championship. She is now 2 for 2 at the Palau Sant Jordi, adding to her gold in the 4x100 free relay. Australia's Emily Seebohm won silver and Japan's Aya Terakawa bronze. After the medal ceremony, Franklin hustled off to get ready for the 200 free semifinals. She barely qualified for the final of that event in London and was edged out for a bronze medal by one-hundredth of a second. Franklin has spent much of the past year working to improve her freestyle, and the results showed. Franklin easily qualified for the final in 1:56.05, trailing only worldrecord holder Federica Pellegrini of Italy. ''Hopefully, I will keep the momentum going,'' Franklin said. ''Hopefully, Team USA will, too.'' Agnel pushed the pace right from the start and never let up. He touched in 1:44.20, a full body length ahead of the field, setting off another wild celebration from the large French contingent in the crowd. Instead of Lochte, the American winning a medal was Dwyer, a friend and former training partner of Phelps. Danila Izotov of Russia took bronze. Lochte missed a spot on the podium by 0.05. Agnel is now a training partner of Dwyer's, having moved recently to the North Baltimore Aquatic Club to work with Bowman, who was Phelps' longtime coach. ''I am so surprised,'' said Agnel, the reigning Olympic champion. ''I did not expect such a result.'' Grevers showed he's still the man to beat in the 100 back after winning gold at London. The American was second at the turn but overtook France's Jeremy Stravius to win in 52.93. Plummer also got past Stravius for the silver, while the Frenchman settled for bronze.