Over-Testing of Rodriguez Raises Questions

Yankees' slugger may have implicated self with defense of drug policy
By Lev Weinstein,  Newser Staff
Posted Feb 20, 2008 11:21 PM CST
Over-Testing of Rodriguez Raises Questions
New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez is seen during a timeout in the NBA basketball game between the Miami Heat and the Portland Trail Blazers in the second quarter in Miami, Friday, Jan. 18, 2008. The Trail Blazers won 98-91. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz)   (Associated Press)

"Last year, I got tested 9 to 10 times," Alex Rodriguez told reporters yesterday. The high number of tests raises questions, according to the New York Times. MLB mandates two tests a year per player, plus 600 random tests, for which "There is no limit on the number of times a player can be tested," according to spokesman Richard Levin.

Nonetheless, the long odds of Rodriguez facing so many random tests have raised accusations of amphetamine abuse, for which an initial positive finding is not disclosed, but mandates many additional tests.  Rodriguez flatly denied ever having taken amphetamines, and released a follow up statement to his interview later yesterday, saying, "I was just exaggerating to make a point." (More MLB stories.)

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