Skip to main content

Report: New York Yankees ban Reggie Jackson over A-Rod comments

The Yankees have asked Reggie Jackson to stay away from the team after his negative comments about Alex Rodriguez. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

<> on August 18, 2009 in Oakland, California.

The New York Yankees have told special adviser Reggie Jackson to stay away from the team indefinitely because of his comments about third baseman Alex Rodriguez in last week's Sports Illustrated, reports ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney.

One source described the ban to ESPN as "a cooling-off period, but not a death penalty."

Jackson spoke about Rodriguez's use of performance-enhancing drugs in his interview with Sports Illustrated. (Read the article here.)

"Al's a very good friend," Jackson told SI's Phil Taylor. "But I think there are real questions about his numbers. As much as I like him, what he admitted about his usage does cloud some of his records."

Jackson has reportedly apologized to Rodriguez and other members of the Yankees' organization for his comments. Jackson confirmed the ban to USA TODAY's Bob Nightengale.

"The Yankees think that the timing is not right for me to be around the team right now," Jackson told Nightengale. "When the Yankees feel that the timing is proper, I'll return.''