Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Alex Rodriguez

Public opinion and media debates around Alex Rodriguez—discover key moments of controversy.

Alex Rodriguez, nicknamed "A-Rod," is a former professional baseball shortstop and third baseman who played 22 seasons in MLB for the Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers, and New York Yankees. He is considered one of the greatest baseball players of all time. Currently, Rodriguez is a businessman, serving as chairman and CEO of A-Rod Corp and chairman of Presidente beer. He also owns a controlling interest in the NBA's Minnesota Timberwolves.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

2000: Primobolan Allegations Against Barry Bonds

In 2000, Barry Bonds is alleged to have tested positive for Primobolan.

2001: Rodriguez admits to using steroids from 2001 to 2003

Alex Rodriguez admitted to steroid use from 2001 until 2003, claiming that he ceased using such substances after spring training that year.

2001: Use of performance enhancing drugs

From 2001, Alex Rodriguez used steroids from 2001 to 2003 while playing for the Rangers.

2001: Admits to Using Banned Substances

In 2001, Alex Rodriguez admitted to using banned substances, citing pressure to perform. He stated that he used them from 2001 to 2003 while playing for the Rangers, but had been clean since a spring training injury in 2003.

2001: Primobolan Allegations Against Barry Bonds

In 2001, Barry Bonds is alleged to have tested positive for Primobolan.

2001: Rodriguez admits to steroid use from 2001-2003

In a press conference, Alex Rodriguez answered questions about his steroid use from 2001 to 2003, stating that he and a cousin purchased an unidentified drug, known as "boli" or "bollee", over-the-counter in the Dominican Republic, where it is known on the streets. Rodriguez injected himself twice monthly for six months each year, but was unsure if it was safe or gave him a competitive edge.

November 2003: Seizure of Coded Master List

In November 2003, a coded master list of 104 players was seized during the BALCO investigation, turning up in a 2004 federal raid on Comprehensive Drug Testing's facility in Long Beach, California. These players had tested positive but MLBPA claimed destruction was improper.

2003: Admits to Using Banned Substances

In 2003, Alex Rodriguez admitted to using banned substances, citing pressure to perform. He stated that he used them from 2001 to 2003 while playing for the Rangers, but had been clean since a spring training injury in 2003.

2003: Positive Drug Test

In 2003, Alex Rodriguez tested positive for anabolic steroids. He also captured his first American League Most Valuable Player award, broke 300 career home runs (hitting 47 that year), and earned one of his ten Silver Slugger Awards.

2003: Rodriguez tests positive for performance-enhancing drugs

In 2003, Alex Rodriguez tested positive for testosterone and the anabolic steroid Primobolan, as part of Major League Baseball's survey on drug testing.

2003: MLB Statement on Test Results

In 2003, after Rodriguez's test results became public, Major League Baseball expressed "grave concern" without naming Rodriguez, citing the non-disciplinary and anonymous nature of the 2003 survey testing.

2003: Rodriguez takes responsibility for mistakes

In 2003, after his positive test results were leaked, Alex Rodriguez absolved the players' union of any blame and took full responsibility for his mistakes. Doug Glanville criticized the lack of outrage over the leak of a confidential test.

2003: Rodriguez admits to steroid use from 2001-2003

2003: Use of performance enhancing drugs

Until 2003, Alex Rodriguez used steroids from 2001 to 2003 while playing for the Rangers.

July 24, 2004: Brawl with the Boston Red Sox

On July 24, 2004, Rodriguez was hit by a pitch from Bronson Arroyo, leading to a scuffle with Boston Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek and a bench-clearing brawl between both teams.

August 2004: Tip from MLBPA about failed drug test

In August 2004, Alex Rodriguez was tipped off by Gene Orza of the MLBPA that he "may or may not have" failed his 2003 drug test. This information came before it was publicly known.

September 2004: Accusations of MLBPA Tipping Off Rodriguez

In September 2004, Gene Orza of the MLBPA was accused by unnamed MLB players of tipping off Alex Rodriguez to an upcoming drug test. Orza and the MLBPA denied these allegations.

2004: Criticism After 2004 Postseason

Due to the Yankees' unsuccessful postseason performance from 2004 to 2007, Alex Rodriguez drew criticism in the New York area.

2004: Mandatory Drug Testing Begins

In 2004, because more than 5% of the samples taken from players in 2003 came back positive, mandatory testing of major league baseball players began, with penalties for violations.

2004: Controversial Play in Game 6 of ALCS

In 2004, during Game 6 of the American League Championship Series, Alex Rodriguez made a controversial play. He swatted at pitcher Bronson Arroyo's glove, knocking the ball loose, but was called out for interference. The Yankees lost the ALCS to the Red Sox.

2004: Release of Positive Testing Players

In 2004, the list of 104 players who tested positive was released to the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA).

2005: Criticism After 2005 Postseason

Due to the Yankees' unsuccessful postseason performance from 2004 to 2007, along with Rodriguez's sub-.200 batting average in the 2005 postseason, Alex Rodriguez drew criticism in the New York area.

2005: Juiced by Jose Canseco

In 2005, Jose Canseco wrote a bestseller, Juiced.

2005: MLB warns Rodriguez about participating in illegal poker games

In 2011, Alex Rodriguez was facing allegations of participating in illegal, underground poker games. An MLB Executive stated Rodriguez may face a suspension if proven guilty, as MLB had warned Rodriguez in 2005 not to participate in such games.

2006: Criticism After 2006 Postseason

Due to the Yankees' unsuccessful postseason performance from 2004 to 2007, along with Rodriguez's sub-.200 batting average in the 2006 postseason, Alex Rodriguez drew criticism in the New York area.

July 2007: Canseco's Upcoming Book and Rodriguez's Denial

In July 2007, Jose Canseco announced plans to publish another book about Major League Baseball, claiming it would contain "other stuff" on Alex Rodriguez and calling him a hypocrite. Rodriguez denied accusations of steroid use and flatly denied ever using performance-enhancing drugs in an interview.

October 28, 2007: Rodriguez opts out of Yankees contract

On October 28, 2007, Alex Rodriguez's agent announced that he would not renew his contract with the New York Yankees, citing concerns about the team's future. This decision led to criticism from fans and writers. The Yankees also lost $21.3 million in payments from the Texas Rangers because of the opt-out.

2007: Criticism After 2007 Postseason

Due to the Yankees' unsuccessful postseason performance from 2004 to 2007, Alex Rodriguez drew criticism in the New York area.

2007: Denial of performance-enhancing drug use

In a 2007 interview, Alex Rodriguez denied ever using performance-enhancing drugs.

July 7, 2008: Divorce Filing by Cynthia Rodriguez

On July 7, 2008, Cynthia Rodriguez filed for divorce from Alex Rodriguez, citing "emotional abandonment," "extra marital affairs," and other marital misconduct. Madonna responded to rumors of an affair by denying any romantic involvement with Rodriguez.

2008: Criticism for Performance in Clutch Situations

In 2008, Alex Rodriguez faced criticism for his inability to produce hits in clutch situations. He hit .264 with runners in scoring position and two outs, striking out 20 times in those situations.

February 7, 2009: Report of Rodriguez testing positive for steroids

On February 7, 2009, Sports Illustrated reported that Alex Rodriguez tested positive for testosterone and the anabolic steroid Primobolan in 2003. His name appeared on a government-sealed list of major-league players who tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs.

February 2009: Sports Illustrated Report on Positive Steroid Tests

In February 2009, Sports Illustrated reported that Alex Rodriguez had tested positive for two anabolic steroids, testosterone and Primobolan, during his 2003 season playing for the Texas Rangers.

March 2009: Treatment from Anthony Galea

In March 2009, Alex Rodriguez reportedly received treatment from Canadian sports doctor Anthony Galea.

2009: Admission of Steroid Use

In 2009, Alex Rodriguez admitted to using steroids from 2001 to 2003 while playing for the Rangers.

2009: "The Cooler" and "A-Fraud" Nicknames

Prior to 2009, Alex Rodriguez received the nickname "The Cooler" due to teams seemingly turning cold when he joined them. According to Joe Torre's 2009 book, "The Yankee Years", Rodriguez also earned the nickname "A-Fraud" from teammates.

The Yankee Years

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February 28, 2010: Report on Galea Treatment

On February 28, 2010, The New York Times reported that Alex Rodriguez had received treatment from Canadian sports doctor Anthony Galea in March 2009.

2010: Reported HGH Use

Between 2010 and 2012, Alex Rodriguez reportedly received Human Growth Hormone (HGH) from Biogenesis of America.

2011: Galea Reaches Plea Agreement

In 2011, Anthony Galea reached a plea agreement for bringing unapproved and mislabeled drugs into the United States, including human growth hormone (HGH) and Actovegin.

2012: Rodriguez's lawyers allege mishandling of hip injury in 2012

Alex Rodriguez's lawyers accused the Yankees, and specifically Christopher S. Ahmad, of mishandling his hip injury in several ways, alleging that the team withheld the injury from him and continued to play him in 2012, despite his condition.

2012: Reported HGH Use

Between 2010 and 2012, Alex Rodriguez reportedly received Human Growth Hormone (HGH) from Biogenesis of America.

August 3, 2013: MLB Rebuffs Negotiation Offer

On August 3, 2013, MLB rejected the players' union's last-minute offer to negotiate regarding Alex Rodriguez's suspension, allowing Rodriguez until August 4 to reach an agreement.

August 2013: Suspension Announced by MLB

In August 2013, MLB announced a 211-game suspension for Alex Rodriguez for his involvement in the Biogenesis scandal.

August 18, 2013: Rodriguez hit by pitch, hits home run against Dempster

During a game against the Red Sox on August 18, 2013, Alex Rodriguez was hit by a pitch thrown by Ryan Dempster and then hit a 442-foot home run later in the same game off Dempster. Dempster was suspended five games for hitting Rodriguez.

2013: Rodriguez suspended, feuds with Yankees

In 2013, Alex Rodriguez returned to the Yankees, but MLB announced he would be suspended (pending an appeal) through the 2014 season for his role in the Biogenesis scandal. Rodriguez feuded with the Yankees front office regarding his hip injury.

January 11, 2014: Suspension Upheld

On January 11, 2014, Alex Rodriguez's suspension was upheld after a lengthy arbitration process, effectively reducing it to 162 games for the 2014 regular season.

February 7, 2014: Rodriguez Drops Lawsuit

On February 7, 2014, Alex Rodriguez announced his decision to abandon his lawsuit and accept the suspension for the 2014 season.

March 2014: Refusal to Pay Legal Fees

In March 2014, it was reported that Alex Rodriguez had refused to pay the balance of his legal fees, which amounted to more than $3 million.

July 2014: Lawsuit for Unpaid Legal Fees

In July 2014, Alex Rodriguez was sued by his lawyers for $380,000 in unpaid legal fees.

November 2014: Admission of PED Use to DEA

In November 2014, it was revealed that Alex Rodriguez had admitted to the Drug Enforcement Administration in January of that year that he had used performance-enhancing drugs, contrary to his previous denials.

2014: Rodriguez suspended for 2014 season.

Alex Rodriguez was notified that MLB announced he would be suspended through the 2014 season for his role in the Biogenesis scandal. This announcement came on the same day as his return in 2013.

2014: Suspension for violating PED policy

In 2014, Alex Rodriguez was suspended by MLB from August 8 through the end of the 2014 season for violating the league's PED policy, totaling 211 regular-season games plus any postseason games, after being found to have used Testosterone and human Growth Hormone and for obstructing the investigation.

2014: Suspension

In 2014, Alex Rodriguez was suspended for 162 games due to his involvement in the Biogenesis scandal.

2014: Suspension Upheld and Role Change

In 2014, Alex Rodriguez's suspension was upheld, resulting in him being suspended for the entire regular season and postseason. Additionally, the Yankees announced that Rodriguez would no longer be an everyday third baseman, instead serving as a designated hitter.

January 19, 2015: Meeting with Commissioner Rob Manfred

On January 19, 2015, Alex Rodriguez reportedly met with new Commissioner of Baseball Rob Manfred, having a "positive discussion" where Rodriguez apologized and promised better behavior in the future.

February 17, 2015: Apology Letter

On February 17, 2015, Alex Rodriguez issued a hand-written letter of apology to "Major League Baseball, the Yankees, the Steinbrenner family, the Players Association and you, the fans".