In his most recent interview with Sports Illustrated, New York Yankees' Alex Rodriguez said he still wants "to be a role model" despite the "noise" surrounding him from the Biogenesis scandal.
"Look, it's concerning," Rodriguez told the magazine. "I have two daughters at home, and I'm sensitive to that, and above all, I want to be a role model, continue to be a role model -- especially to my girls.
"So all the noise sometimes gets on my nerves, but that's it. I can't let it get any further than that. I have a job to do."
Rodriguez has denied the allegations, but in the coming days, Major League Baseball is expected to hand down suspensions to Rodriguez and other players with ties to Biogenesis.
The length of Rodriguez's impending suspension is unknown.
"I'm not giving up," Rodriguez told Sports Illustrated. "I have tremendous faith, and hopefully there's a couple more chapters to this book. And hopefully there's a happy ending somewhere. I have faith."
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."
Under a CBA suspension, A-Rod would be kept off the field while a grievance is litigated unless his representative specifically ask for a stay and that request is granted. The AP suggests such a scenario would be atypical.
"We are focused on an appeal," Rodriguez's lawyer, David Cornwell, said in an interview Monday with Stephen A. Smith on "The Michael Kay Show" on ESPN New York 98.7.
Cornwell said Rodriguez's "primary focus" is playing in the majors again. Rodriguez is in Tampa rehabbing a quad injury that postponed his return to the Yankees last week.
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