07-20-2015, 07:53 PM
NEW YORK -- Alex Rodriguezs grievance hearing to overturn his 211-game suspension ended Thursday when both sides rested their cases, a day after the New York Yankees third baseman angrily walked out and decided not to testify in his own defence. Marcus Gilchrist Youth Jersey . The sides set a schedule to file briefs and reply briefs next month, which will close the record and submit the matter to arbitrator Fredric Horowitz. His decision on whether to uphold or alter the discipline for the three-time AL MVP likely will be made in January, a person familiar with the proceedings told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because no statements were authorized. Rodriguezs lawyers already are vowing to challenge the ruling in federal court, where judges usually are reticent to overturn an arbitration decision unless there is a finding the arbitrator was biased, exceeded his authority or failed to comply with the rules agreed to by the parties. The exact timing of a decision is uncertain. Baseballs Joint Drug Agreement states the arbitrator shall make "all reasonable efforts" to close the record in time to permit a decision within 25 days of the start of the hearing. But in this case, the hearing began Sept. 30, making that timetable impossible to meet. After the arbitrator renders his decision, the written opinion is to be issued within 30 days. It is unclear if Horowitz will issue his written opinion simultaneously with his decision. The timing of the case could complicate planning for the Yankees, who dont know if they will have to pay Rodriguez his $25 million salary and are unsure whether they will need a different starting third baseman. Rodriguez was suspended by Major League Baseball on Aug. 5 for alleged violations of its drug policy and labour agreement stemming from the leagues investigation of the Biogenesis of America anti-aging clinic in Florida. The players association filed a grievance, and because Rodriguez was a first-time offender of the drug agreement, the discipline automatically was stayed pending a resolution of the grievance. Horowitz heard the case in a trio of four-day sessions, with management presenting its case from Sept. 30-Oct. 3 and Oct. 15-18. Rodriguezs side then took its turn during the first four days of this week. While Horowitz had set aside six additional days for testimony through Wednesday, that time was not needed. Rodriguez left in the middle of the 11th session Wednesday, furious the arbitrator refused to order baseball Commissioner Bud Selig to testify. Rodriguez and his lawyers then went on radio and television, accusing Selig of bias and the entire arbitration process of being flawed. His lawyers returned without him Thursday to complete their case, and MLB started and finished its rebuttal. At the end of the hearing, the sides learned union head Michael Weiner had died from the brain tumour he was diagnosed with 15 months ago. Outside MLBs offices, representatives of the New York Hispanic Clergy Organization, including state Sen. Ruben Diaz, held a prayer vigil to express opposition to Rodriguezs discipline. Rodriguez lawyer James McCarroll issued a statement Thursday pointing out that this case is the first grievance under the drug agreement involving discipline that didnt stem from a positive test and involved "the commissioners discretion and decision-making." While he said the commissioner in the past "was harshly criticized in the arbitrators decision for not voluntarily appearing at a grievance," that statement appears to refer to arbitrator George Nicolaus 1987 decision cutting Peter Ueberroths drug suspension of pitcher LaMarr Hoyt from one season to 60 days. While Horowitz has issued an order for the proceeding to be confidential, Rodriguezs lawyers have said they may release some of the evidence Friday. Rodriguez spokesman Ron Berkowitz said no decision had been made. "Its uncertain," he said. "Theyre still weighing their options of what they can and cannot release." Eric Decker New York Jets Jersey . - Green Bay running back Eddie Lacy was limited in practice Wednesday after bruising his hip in the Packers victory this week over Atlanta. Bryce Petty Jersey . Coetzee eagled the par-5 10th hole and birdied his closing three holes in a round that was just two shots more than his best on the European Tour, a 62 which equalled the Old Course record at St. SUNRISE, Fla. -- SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) -- The Florida Panthers took advantage of home ice to get back on the winning track. Brad Boyes scored two goals, Tomas Fleischmann had a goal and three assists, and the Panthers snapped a three-game losing streak with a 6-3 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins in their home opener on Friday night. The Panthers were able to bounce back after being outscored 16-3 in their past three games. "It was better tonight," Panthers coach Kevin Dineen said. "Weve been riding a roller coaster and thats a bad way to do an 82-game season; good, bad, good, bad. Were looking for a little stability to it." Aleksander Barkov, Jonathan Huberdeau, and Kris Versteeg also scored for Florida, and Jacob Markstrom stopped 36 shots. Pascal Dupuis, Craig Adams, and Evgeni Malkin scored for Pittsburgh, which lost for the first time in four games. Jeff Zatkoff made 24 saves in his NHL debut. The 26-year-old Zatkoff was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in the third round of the 2006 NHL draft. Fleischmann stretched Floridas lead to 5-3 at 6:27 of the third. His shot from the left circle was blocked by Zatkoff, but Fleischmann skated in and poked in the rebound. Boyes second goal came just as a power play ended with 34 seconds left to make it 6-3. Boyes has scored four goals in the past three games. "Its about opportunities and when you get them, capitalize on them," Boyes said. Florida scored two power-play goals in the second to take a 4-2 lead. Huberdeau poked in the puck from in front during a 5-on-3 at 7:08. Barkov followed 1:06 later when his shot bounced off Pittsburghs Paul Martin and into the net. They were the first power-play goals against the Penguins this year. "It was a big night for us, a big character win aggainst a very good team," Versteeg said. Lorenzo Mauldin Youth Jersey. "So were excited about that." The Penguins closed to 4-3 on Dupuiss goal. Dupuis took a drop pass from Sidney Crosby and beat Markstrom on the short side at 12:13 of the second. "They got some momentum off those two power plays," Crosby said. "I still think we had a number of chances to get it tied at four. They found a way to get that fifth one in. We obviously didnt really generate a whole lot after that." The Panthers took a 2-1 lead on Versteegs goal at 9:10 of the first. The Penguins tied it 2-2 when Tanner Glass tried a wraparound but the puck bounced around in traffic, then Adams poked in the rebound at 16:49 of the first for his third goal of the season. The Panthers scored first when Boyes got the puck in the right circle and beat Zatkoff on the glove side at 1:55 of the opening period. "Obviously not the result I was looking for," Zatkoff said. "It felt good at the start and they just kept coming. I didnt make any big saves. I needed to make a big save there and didnt do it. I need to get better and make sure Im ready for the next one." Pittsburgh tied it at 1-all on Malkins goal at 5:38 in the opening period. Beau Bennett intercepted a pass at the blue line and passed to Malkin in the left circle. His wrist shot went under Markstroms blocker. NOTES: Pittsburgh lost its first road game after winning its first three games at home. ... Pittsburgh played its first of back-to-back games of the season. The Penguins play at Tampa Bay on Saturday night. ... Florida celebrated its 20th home opener on Friday, and played its first back-to-back set of the season. They lost at Tampa Bay 7-2 on Thursday. ... Florida had just one power-play goal in its first four games. 23:42ET 11-10-13