BALCO founder Victor Conte once said that when you become a doper you become a liar. Packers Jerseys China . In news that is as shocking as an Arian Foster soft tissue injury, it was revealed this week that New York Yankee Alex Rodriguez has been lying about his ties to Biogenesis and using PEDs. Writing for the Miami Herald, Jay Weaver is reporting that Rodriguez has admitted under oath to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) that he used banned substances purchased from Biogenesis between 2010 and 2012. “Yes, he bought performance-enhancing drugs from Biogenesis of America, paying roughly $12,000 a month over about two years to fake doctor Anthony Bosch,” wrote Weaver. “Yes, the Biogenesis owner gave him pre-filled syringes for hormone injections into his stomach, and even drew blood from him in the men’s room of a South Beach nightclub. And yes, Rodriguez’s cousin, Yuri Sucart, was his steroid go-fer.” Rodriguez provided this information in the context of federal drug distribution charges facing his cousin Yuri Sucart. The DEA wanted evidence against Sucart and went to Rodriguez to get it. Ironically, it’s also been reported that Rodriguez paid Sucart nearly $1 million to keep quiet about his PED use. I’m guessing they aren’t that close anymore. In exchange for Rodriguez’s testimony against Sucart, the DEA granted the embattled Yankee immunity. Furious Rodriguez Vehemently Denied PED Use Just a couple of months before admitting to the DEA that he indeed cheated, an enraged Rodriguez went on Mike Francesa’s radio show on WFAN and denied taking PEDs. Francesa: Were you guilty of any of these charges? Rodriguez: No and I shouldnt serve one inning. Francesa: Did you do anything wrong? Rodriguez: No. Francesa: Did you do any PEDs? Rodriguez: No. Francesa: Did you obstruct jus... anybody, any witnesses? Did you do anything that they accused you of doing? Rodriguez: No. Francesa: Nothing? Rodriguez: Nothing. Francesa: So youre guilty in your mind of nothing? Rodriguez: I feel like I should be there opening day. Perjury is a Funny Thing Knowingly lying under oath is called perjury and it’s a crime. It’s a very serious charge and can include prison time. Just ask Marion Jones, who spent six months in jail for lying under oath. So Rodriguez could declare publicly all he wanted that he didn’t do PEDs. However, when the DEA came calling and directed him to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth, he had a strong incentive to be truthful. That’s why this summer I wrote that Rodriguez wasn’t out of the woods, and that the criminal charges against his cousin Sucart could ultimately end up exposing Rodriguez. Yankees: Can They Void A-Rod’s Contract? The Yankees owe Rodriguez $61 million over the next three years. That’s a lot for a player that turns 40 next June. When Rodriguez was suspended for 211 games by MLB for is use of PEDs, the Yankees certainly didn’t want anything to do with him. However, more recently, they seemed resigned to his return. But what happens now? Could the Yankees void Rodriguez’s contract and cut him? That would be very tough. There are simply too many hurdles to overcome. Of course, it doesn’t mean the Yankees can’t try. If they do, here are a few things they could rely on. Breach of Contract The team could allege breach of contract. The Yankees would look to Paragraph 7(b)(1) of his contract, which provides that a team can terminate a contract if a player fails, refuses or neglects to conform his personal conduct to the standards of good citizenship and good sportsmanship or to keep himself in first-class physical condition or to obey the clubs training rules. As well, Paragraph 7(b)(3) allows for termination if a player fails, refuses or neglects to render his services hereunder or in any manner materially breach this contract. Relying on these sections, the Yankees would argue that by doping, Rodriguez failed to “obey the clubs training rule”. He also lied repeatedly about doing PEDs, and threw his team, union and the Commissioner under the bus not to mention obstructing MLB’s investigation. None of that is terribly polite and constitutes a breach of his player contract. While not unreasonable, these arguments very likely wouldn’t be successful. Punishments for PED use are handled by the collectively bargained drug policy. That means that both baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) agreed the policy would govern punishments related to PEDs. Thats why the drug policy is there in the first place. If the sides had agreed to tougher sanctions for PED use and put them in the drug policy, then those tougher sanctions would govern. As well, courts really dont like it when a business has a specific policy in place dealing with a specific offence, and that business elects to ignore that specific policy and does its own thing. A-Rod Misrepresented Himself The Yankees could claim that Rodriguez misrepresented himself when he signed his contract. When Rodriguez signed his 10-year/$275 million contract in 2008, the Yankees would say they weren’t getting the player they thought they were getting. Rodriguez wasn’t being truthful about the nature of his abilities and how he achieved such a high level of success. The Yankees could argue that had they known Rodriguez was cheating they would not have signed him. Once again, though, the drug policy, is in place to deal with PED use, so this argument would be a real uphill battle for Yankees. PED Injuries The Yankees could also allege that Rodriguez’s injuries (including his recent hip injury) are the result of his PED use. Good luck showing a direct link. This argument has little to no chance. MLBPA Would Fight – And Probably Win The MLBPA has a long history of being a strong advocate for its players and vigorously fighting punishments imposed on players. The MLBPA is widely considered as the strongest union in sports and one of the strongest unions on the planet. As a result, players have enjoyed strong success at arbitration when appealing voided contracts. Here are some MLBPA wins: 1) In 1987, the San Diego Padres voided LaMarr Hoyt’s contract after he was jailed following multiple drug charges, including intent to distribute cocaine and attempting to smuggle drugs from Mexico into the U.S. This would seem to be specifically the type of conduct that would justify voiding a contract – right? Wrong. The Players Association filed a grievance and won. 2) In 2004, the Colorado Rockies tried to cut Denny Neagle after he was charged with soliciting a prostitute. The MLBPA stepped in, and ultimately the parties agreed to a payout of $16 million on his $19.5 million contract. 3) In 2005, the Baltimore Orioles voided Sidney Ponson’s contract for driving while intoxicated (as well as some other stuff). The MLBPA grieved, and the sides ended up settling. Ponson got a sizable chunk of his $11.2 million salary. There was a case where an arbitrator upheld the voiding of a contract. In 2008, Shawn Chacon refused to leave the team dining room to speak with GM Ed Wade in his office. This confrontation ended with Chacon grabbing Wade by the neck and throwing him to the ground. Each time Wade tried to get up, Chacon knocked him back to the ground. Chacon’s contract was terminated with cause. The move was appealed by the MLBPA, but the appeal was unsuccessful. So, short of strangling your employer, it can be tough to successfully terminate a contract (Latrell Sprewell got 68 games for choking NBA coach P. J. Carlesimo). Rodriguez Has Already Been Punished MLB already suspended Rodriguez for his PED use, links to Biogenesis and obstructing its investigation. As a result, MLB and the Yankees can’t punish him again for the same offences. Unless something new and dramatic comes to light, the discipline ship has sailed on the HMS A-Rod. Yankees Buyout If the Yankees want Rodriguez gone, the team would need to buy him out. Realistically, that’s their most viable option. Green Bay Packers Shirts . The win puts the final playoff berth in Group A in question. If the Czechs beat Slovakia on Tuesday, they will go through. If they lose, Germany will get the last quarter-final berth. Custom Green Bay Packers Jerseys . Durant had 33 points, 12 rebounds and six assists, hit the tying 3-pointer late in regulation and made the go-ahead foul shots in overtime to lift the Thunder past the Wizards 106-105. John Wall missed a driving layup attempt at the buzzer for Washington, which was seeking its third straight win. https://www.packersjerseysale.com/ . His head snapped back from the impact and hit the floor. The All-Star power forward was all right afterward, a relief for the Minnesota Timberwolves.SEATTLE -- Kole Calhoun thinks the Angels showed off their many talents in a win over the Mariners. Erick Aybar hit a three-run homer, Matt Shoemaker pitched effectively into the sixth inning and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Seattle Mariners 7-5 on Thursday night. "Theres a lot of weapons in here, one through nine, and guys have their special thing they bring to the team," said Calhoun, who reached base safely four times from the leadoff spot. Even with star Albert Pujols on the bench with a scheduled day off, the Angels had 15 hits, the fourth time in a week the club has had at least 11 hits in a game and its most in a game since getting 16 against the Yankees on April 25. Recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake on Wednesday, Shoemaker (3-1) set down the side in order four times in 5 1-3 innings. He allowed three runs on four hits, equaled a career-high six strikeouts and did not walk a batter for the first time in five career starts. "We were able to use all four pitches effectively, be able to throw them for strikes, get ahead of them," the right-hander said. "Definitely a confidence builder. Just knowing Im able to pitch at this level." Shoemaker didnt allow a baserunner until James Jones dropped a double in front of a diving Mike Trout in centre field to lead off the fourth. One out later, Michael Saunders lined a two-run home run to right, cutting the deficit to 5-2. Saunders added a sacrifice fly in the sixth, but the Angels bullpen cruised into the ninth until Kyle Seager hit a two-run home run off Fernando Salas. Ernesto Frieri came on to record two outs for his eighth save in 10 chances. "Outside of Fernando Salas maybe just losing some counts in the ninth and giving up the home ruun, the bullpen did a terrific job, Kevin Jepsen especially," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. Green Bay Packers Pro Shop. Mariners starter Brandon Maurer (1-4) lasted just four innings, allowing five runs on six hits and four walks. Its the fifth time in seven starts this season that Maurer has failed to reach the fifth inning. "I agree he has struggled," Seattle manager Lloyd McClendon said of his young starter. "When you look at options you have to sit down and make sure you have a viable option. That is something Jack (Zduriencik, the general manager) and I will talk about and see where we go from here." Los Angeles took a quick lead in the first when Trouts sacrifice fly to right field scored Calhoun. Trout drove in another run in the sixth with a sharp single up the middle, but the Angels, leading 6-2, were unable to blow the game open, as Seattle reliever Dominic Leone got two outs to leave a pair of runners stranded. NOTES: OF Josh Hamilton, who sustained a bone bruise to his injured left thumb during a rehab assignment on May 22, worked out and took batting practice with the Angels. If all goes well, Hamilton is expected to join Triple-A Salt Lake in Tacoma on Friday. ... Mariners 2B Robinson Cano didnt feel well Thursday and was a late scratch. Stefen Romero replaced Cano in the lineup at DH and Nick Franklin moved to second base. ... RHP Taijuan Walker, on the 15-day DL with a right shoulder impingement, said he felt good after his first rehab start with Triple-A Tacoma on Wednesday and expects to throw a bullpen on Friday. "Its sore, obviously, its sore," Walker said. "Its the normal soreness in the right spots. Sore in the right spots. Its nothing bad. I felt like I pitched yesterday." ' ' '