A-Rod sues MLB, union to overturn drug ban

NEW YORK — New York Yankees star Alex Rodriguez sued Major League Baseball and its players' union Monday, seeking to overturn a season-long suspension imposed by an arbitrator who ruled there was "clear and convincing evidence" he used three banned substances and twice tried to obstruct the sport's drug investigation.

As part of the lawsuit filed in federal court in Manhattan, the Yankees third baseman made public Saturday's 33-decision by arbitrator Fredric Horowitz, who shortened a penalty originally set at 211 games last August by baseball Commissioner Bud Selig.

"While this length of suspension may be unprecedented for a MLB player, so is the misconduct he committed," Horowitz wrote in his decision Saturday.

Rodriguez in his suit claimed the Major League Baseball Players Association "completely abdicated its responsibility to Mr. Rodriguez to protect his rights" and "this inaction by MLBPA created a climate in which MLB felt free to trample" on Rodriguez's confidentiality rights.

Rodriguez asked for the court to find MLB violated its agreements with the union, that the union breached its duty to represent him and to throw out Horowitz's decision.