Yankees star Alex Rodriguez sues Major League Baseball

Embattled New York Yankees star Alex Rodriguez has sued Major League Baseball and its commissioner, claiming they are trying to destroy his reputation and ruin his career.

Rodriguez’ lawsuit became public Friday and seeks unspecified damages, the AP reports. The suit claims Commissioner Bud Selig and the league have tried to smear Rodriguez’ reputation in an effort to “gloss over” Selig’s “past inaction and tacit approval of the use of performance-enhancing substances in baseball.” Selig wanted to secure his legacy as a “savior” of baseball, the suit says.

Meanwhile, Rodriguez is awaiting a ruling on the appeal of his 211-game suspension for violating baseball’s drug agreement and labor contract. The suspension would cost Rodriguez tens of millions of dollars in salary, the lawsuit said.

Rodriguez released a statement on the lawsuit through his spokesman, Ron Berkowitz, on Friday:

“The entire legal dynamic is very complex, and my legal team is doing what they need to in order to vindicate me and pursue all of my rights. This matter is entirely separate from the ongoing arbitration proceedings continuing, and for the day to come when I can share my story with the public and my supporters.”

Rodriguez has a career .299 batting average, 654 home runs, and nearly 2,000 runs batted in.

H/T Sam Lane