One day after fireworks in the arbitration room resulted in Alex Rodriguez yelling at MLB COO Rob Manfred and storming out, the arbitration hearing is over. Arbitrator Fredric Horowitz will now be tasked with coming to a decision on whether or not to uphold MLB's 211-game suspension or reduce the number of games Rodriguez will miss.
The A-Rod arbitration case against #MLB has concluded.
— Ken Davidoff (@KenDavidoff) November 21, 2013
The case ends without Bud Selig or Rodriguez testifying, with Selig's absence being the reason Rodriguez was so upset a day ago. Rodriguez kept his word and did not show up to the hearing today after yesterday's outburst, but his lawyers were present for the conclusion. Each side seems extremely confident in the case they have presented to Horowitz, of course. All there is left to do now is wait for a ruling, but it seems that the case is ticketed for federal court unless Rodriguez is allowed completely off the hook with his suspension. Rodriguez has also hinted that a lawsuit against the Yankees could be coming at some point in the future, but he can only fight so many battles at one time.
The ARod hearing is over. Now the two sides write summary briefs, turn in by 12/11, respond by 12/21, then it's up to arbitrator Horowitz.
— T.J. Quinn (@TJQuinnESPN) November 22, 2013Horowitz has 25 days to make a ruling. Hopefully Horowitz has enough information and enough desire to put this circus behind him to come to a decision sooner than that.
Update: Or not...
So now I'm told Horowitz (A-Rod arbitrator) will not be held to 25 days. Expect a decision perhaps not until after the holidays.
— Tim Brown (@TBrownYahoo) November 22, 2013Sigh.
Read more from A-Rod's arbitration hearing:
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- Audio: Alex Rodriguez blasts Bud Selig, denies PED use on WFAN with Mike Francesa
- Yankees rumors: Curtis Granderson remains a serious target
- Alex Rodriguez Appeal Hearing: MLB makes statement, likely headed to federal court
- Alex Rodriguez storms out of appeal hearing
- Peter Gammons compares Alex Rodriguez to the Marathon Bomber