Alex Rodriguez apologizes to head of anti-doping foundation
New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez apologized to the president of an anti-doping foundation he supported after his own admission of performance-enhancing drug use, reports ESPN.com’s Ian O'Connor.
Rodriguez reached out to Don Hooton, president of the foundation named for his son Taylor, just days after Hooton said that Rodriguez never apologized to him for his use of PEDs.
Hooton’s son committed suicide in 2003 after using PEDs, and Rodriguez made appearances with Hooton to speak to students about the dangers of drug use. Hooten and Rodriguez cut ties after he admitted to using PEDs.
"Alex called [Sunday] afternoon to apologize for exercising poor judgment and for making bad decisions that hurt the Yankees, Major League Baseball and our foundation," Hooton said, according to ESPN. "It was short and sweet, but Alex said he was profoundly sorry and he seemed very sincere.
“He acknowledged the damage done to our cause without me bringing it up. He told me to keep his phone number and to call him if I ever needed anything.”
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Hooton will throw out the first pitch before the Yankees' spring training game against the Atlanta Braves on March 12.
"We're hoping to shake hands that day," Hooton said.
Rodriguez, who is expected to make his spring training debut on Wednesday, missed the entire 2014 season after being suspended by Major League Baseball for his role in the Biogenesis scandal.
Rodriguez also apologized to the Yankees, MLB and to fans in a handwritten letter “for the mistakes that led to my suspension.”
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