That's sort of why it was arbitrary.   What if there were 80 games left in the season?  20 games?   There's no precedent or by-law that allows for a 211.

They could have ruled that Selig needed to be there.  If this was a court of law, and ARod was on trial, and Selig was accusing ARod of a crime, Selig would have to be there.  If I'm ARod, I demand to know what part of his *** Selig pulled "211 games" out of.  Not one of his nice-speaking cronies.  At the end of the day, he's going to end up suing MLB and that will get Selig in court.  And when that takes time, he'll be allowed to play until his suit is heard, which could be a while.

Posted by skunk206 on 11/20/2013 1:59:00 PM (view original):
I don't think 211 was arbitrary.  At the time the suspension was issued, weren't there about 50 games left in the 2013 season?  I think the number 211 amounted to the number of games left in 2013 at that time, plus 162 more games for all of 2014.  It was a suspension basically through the end of the 2014 regular season.  Since he appealed and ended up playing the rest of 2013, 211 games doesn't really accomplish the same thing, so I wouldn't be surprised to see it reduced.  But I'd still expect it to last at least one full season.

This.

If the suspension was issued a week earlier, the number would have been 218.  A week later, 204. 

As it turned out, it was 211 merely as a function of the MLB schedule and calendar.

Right. Which isn't how you're supposed to suspend people. There should be a rhyme and reason on how you reach a number, not just "to the end of next season."

It's silly to believe Selig said "211 games!!!!!" on his own.    Essentially, A-Rod just wants Selig to be there to say something stupid.   If/when he sues MLB, Selig will be "coached up" by his team of lawyers.  I'm assuming they knew Selig wouldn't be forced to testify so there was no point.  Additionally, if A-Rod loses and sues, Selig won't be contradicting himself the 2nd time around.

I don't believe he decided 211 on his own, but he was the one who ultimately made the decision. I get ARod thinking he should have to give his point of view.

Posted by burnsy483 on 11/20/2013 2:19:00 PM (view original):
Right. Which isn't how you're supposed to suspend people. There should be a rhyme and reason on how you reach a number, not just "to the end of next season."

This.

It seems like they're not just suspending him for drug use, it goes beyond that.

Posted by burnsy483 on 11/20/2013 2:43:00 PM (view original):
It seems like they're not just suspending him for drug use, it goes beyond that.

In that case they would have to suspend him under the CBA, not the JDA, right? Or at least apportion the suspension accordingly, for example, 50 games for using a banned substance and 161 for conduct detrimental (or whatever).

I don't know.  But I was always under the impression that ARod did more than just take steroids.

I believe "corruption of baseball" was one of the reasons.   Meaning he brought others in for profit. 

Posted by burnsy483 on 11/20/2013 2:50:00 PM (view original):
I don't know.  But I was always under the impression that ARod did more than just take steroids.

That's what MLB says, but...you know.

Posted by bad_luck on 11/20/2013 2:51:00 PM (view original):

Posted by burnsy483 on 11/20/2013 2:50:00 PM (view original):
I don't know.  But I was always under the impression that ARod did more than just take steroids.

That's what MLB says, but...you know.

They knew there would be an appeals process.  They'd be morons to suspend someone for 211 games for a first offense of the steroid agreement. 

Posted by burnsy483 on 11/20/2013 2:50:00 PM (view original):
I don't know.  But I was always under the impression that ARod did more than just take steroids.

Here's the statement from MLB. It looks like they are relying on the JDA for procedural issues surrounding the suspension but also invoking the CBA (without specifically saying how) to justify the longer than 50 games suspension.

Only Selig could f**k this up. He's turning ARod into a victim with this underhanded tactics and refusal to man up and face ARod in a hearing.