ince 1952. Rookie centre fielder Jackie Bradle

NEW YORK -- Alex Rodriguez benched himself at his own grievance hearing. The New York Yankees star walked out in the middle of a session Wednesday, furious that arbitrator Fredric Horowitz refused to order baseball Commissioner Bud Selig to testify. The move, followed by angry statements accusing Selig of bias and the entire arbitration process of flaws, appeared to be a prelude to a lawsuit challenging whatever ruling Horowitz makes on A-Rods 211-game suspension. Horowitz was in the midst of the 11th day of hearings on the grievance filed by the players association to overturn the penalty given to the three-time AL MVP by Major League Baseball in August for alleged violations of the sports drug agreement and labour contract. "I lost my mind. I banged a table and kicked a briefcase and slammed out of the room," Rodriguez said during a 40-minute interview on WFAN radio. "I probably overreacted, but it came from the heart." Rodriguez has not testified in the grievance and said he had been warned that repeating his denials of wrongdoing on the stand could result in attempts at additional discipline by MLB. MLB argued that it could decide what witnesses it wanted to present to justify the discipline, since the penalty must meet a "just cause" standard. The league said Chief Operating Officer Rob Manfred spoke to reasoning behind the discipline during his six hours of testimony. Rodriguez and the union asked Horowitz to compel Selig to testify. After the arbitrator refused, Rodriguez uttered a profanity at Manfred just before leaving the hearing room at MLBs office, two people familiar with the proceedings said. They spoke on condition of anonymity because what takes place at the hearing is supposed to be confidential. "In the entire history of the Joint Drug Agreement, the commissioner has not testified in a single case," the commissioners office said in a statement. "Major League Baseball has the burden of proof in this matter. MLB selected Rob Manfred as its witness to explain the penalty imposed in this case. Mr. Rodriguez and the players Association have no right to dictate how baseballs case is to proceed any more than baseball has the right to dictate how their case proceeds. Todays antics are an obvious attempt to justify Mr. Rodriguezs continuing refusal to testify under oath." The hearing continued for about two hours after Rodriguez left the room, one of the people said, and is scheduled to resume Thursday morning. "We have put on evidence. We have more evidence to put on. We are evaluating our options," said James McCarroll, a lawyer for Rodriguez who also spoke during the WFAN interview. "We havent said the case isnt being completed. We havent said that the case isnt complete." Horowitz, chosen by management and the union as their independent arbitrator last year, has the discretion to eliminate the suspension or alter it. The statements by Rodriguez and McCarroll made it appear the 14-time All-Star intends to sue MLB and the union unless the penalty is eliminated. Rodriguez already has filed one suit against MLB and Selig, accusing them of a "witch hunt," and another against the Yankees team physician and his hospital, alleging malpractice in the diagnosis and treatment of a hip injury. Manfred is technically part of a three-person arbitration panel that also includes union General Counsel David Prouty and is chaired by Horowitz "Im done. I dont have a chance," Rodriguez said during the WFAN interview. He issued a statement earlier in the day attacking the procedures established in the agreements between MLB and the union. "I am disgusted with this abusive process, designed to ensure that the player fails," Rodriguez said. "I have sat through 10 days of testimony by felons and liars, sitting quietly through every minute, trying to respect the league and the process. "This morning, after Bud Selig refused to come in and testify about his rationale for the unprecedented and totally baseless punishment he hit me with, the arbitrator selected by MLB and the players association refused to order Selig to come in and face me. The absurdity and injustice just became too much. I walked out and will not participate any further in this farce." The players association was disappointed with Horowitzs decision but was less confrontational than Rodriguez. "The MLBPA believes that every player has the right under our arbitration process to directly confront his accuser," the union said in a statement. "We argued strenuously to the arbitrator in Alexs case that the commissioner should be required to appear and testify. While we respectfully disagree with the arbitrators ruling, we will abide by it as we continue to vigorously challenge Alexs suspension within the context of this hearing." McCarroll blamed Horowitz for precluding evidence Rodriguez wanted to introduce and hinted of a court fight. "Whether the case is finally decided in this forum, created by Major League Baseball, Bud Seligs forum, or another forum, nobody is throwing the case out," he said. Joseph Tacopina, another Rodriguez lawyer, spoke on CNN and accused Selig of "cowardice and hypocrisy." He said Manfred testified the decision on discipline was Seligs. Rodriguez denied using performance-enhancing drugs or obstructing MLBs investigation into the Biogenesis of America anti-aging clinic. Rodriguez was the only one of the 14 players disciplined this summer to challenge his suspension. "Over time, the arbitration process in baseball has been amazingly pro player," MLB spokesman Pat Courtney said. "It was that process which created free agency. It allowed Steve Howe to remain on the field despite numerous drug violations and resulted in the shortening of suspensions like John Rockers. The notion that this same process is not fair enough or good enough for Alex Rodriguez is ridiculous." Rodriguez said he had hoped to testify Friday. MLB had insisted Rodriguez submit to an "investigatory interview" prior to his testimony, but he cancelled his scheduled appearance last week, claiming illness. MLB agreed to waive its right to penalize him for testimony during an interview it might deem untruthful, one of the people said. "The system is wrong, and whether youre in federal court or state court or in kangaroo court that we are today, players need protection," Rodriguez said on WFAN. "The union has already told me that if I go on on Friday and they think I lied, they can give me say another 100 games, so now youre to 311. So now well appeal that. In the appeal process, I would say I didnt do it, so now youre up to 411, and this can go on for the next seven or eight years." He repeatedly disparaged Selig, who has been in charge of baseball since 1992 and said in September he plans to retire in January 2015. Rodriguez said Selig wants him as "a trophy" to put "in his big mantel on his way out." "My only message to the commissioner is, I know you dont like New York, but come to New York and face the music. He hates my guts, theres no question about it," Rodriguez said. "One hundred per cent its personal, and I think this is about his legacy, and its about my legacy, and hes trying to destroy me." Rodriguez said four years ago he used PEDs while with the Texas Rangers from 2001-03. He has denied using them since. He briefly discussed his relationship with Biogenesis head Anthony Bosch, who is co-operating with MLBs investigation. "It was nutrition and it was weight loss," Rodriguez said. "And Bosch wasnt the only guy. I travelled the world to see doctors, cutting-edge stuff, but always between the parameters of Major League Baseball. And I have hundreds of emails that will be part of evidence which I cant get into that backs me up 100 per cent." Jim Bouton Jersey . The rookie is rewarding their faith with a stellar first season. MacKinnon had a goal and two assists, Jamie McGinn had two goals and an assist, and Colorado beat the Buffalo Sabres 7-1 on Saturday. John Smoltz Jersey .Y. -- Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire will have less time to remain eligible for the Hall of Fame ballot under changes made Saturday. https://www.cheapbraves.com/343o-phil-niekro-jersey-braves.html . -- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have released veteran guard Davin Joseph, a mainstay on their offensive line over the past eight seasons. Adam Duvall Braves Jersey . The future hall of famers stole the show at the Bell Centre on Tuesday night, with Jagr moving into seventh place in all-time goal scoring and Brodeur stopping 29 shots as the Devils downed the Montreal Canadiens 4-1. Babe Ruth Jersey . Thats 14 consecutive losses to the two-time defending champs, and most of them were over before they even began. Result notwithstanding, Sundays game had a very different feel to it.BOSTON -- The Boston Red Sox werent getting much done this season. Thats why the defending World Series champions turned to their youth. With five rookies in the starting lineup, the last-place Red Sox chased Chicago ace Chris Sale and rallied from a four-run deficit to beat the White Sox 5-4 on Wednesday night. The victory snapped Bostons four-game losing streak. "Once we got Sale out of the game, then we were able to create opportunities," Red Sox manager John Farrell said. "Tip your hat to a very, very good pitcher. But we didnt roll over by any means." Sale had allowed just four hits when he left the game with two outs in the eighth inning and a 4-0 lead. But Jake Petricka faced four batters and couldnt get an out, and by the time Javy Guerra (0-1) retired Mike Carp to end the eighth it was 4-3. With one out in the ninth, Guerra hit Mookie Betts -- who was playing his sixth major league game -- and then gave up a double to pinch-hitter Daniel Nava. Brock Holt, another rookie, singled for the first walk-off hit of his career. The win was just the second for Boston in its last nine games. "We were able to finish it off, which is something we havent been able to do recently," Holt said. "So its a good feeling." Sale is in contention for the last spot on the AL All-Star team, a fan vote that will be announced Thursday. An All-Star the last two seasons, the left-hander walked none and struck out six before his bullpen cost him a chance to improve to 9-1. "Put that all on me. Ive got to go in there and shut the door," Guerra said. "He deserves a win every time he throws the ball that way. The guys special. He deserves a win." Koji Uehara (5-2), who was added to the AL All-Star team earlier Wednesday, earned the win. Jose Abreu and Conor Gillaspie homered to help stake Chicago, which had won three straight, to a 4-0 lead. Sale did not allow a runner to reach third base until the eighth, when Betts led off with an odd double -- he beat out an infield single and took second when he noticed no one was covering -- then moved up on a groundout.dddddddddddd After getting Holt to ground out, Sale was replaced by Petricka and the Red Sox saw their chance. "Hes one of the best pitchers in the game," Nava said. "Whether hes an All-Star or not, hes an All-Star-caliber pitcher." Abreu hit a solo homer to deep centre field in the first inning, his 28th of the season. Only Mark McGwire, who had 33 homers at the 1987 All-Star break, hit more in the first half of his rookie season. Gillaspie added a solo shot in the second, and the White Sox made it 3-0 when he doubled and scored in the fourth. Tyler Flowers and Adam Eaton had consecutive doubles in the seventh to make it 4-0. It stayed that way until White Sox manager Robin Ventura pulled Sale with two outs in the eighth, and Petricka couldnt get an out. The Red Sox had a few good plays in the field, though, thanks largely to their young players. It was the earliest in the season the Red Sox have started five rookies in a game since 1952. Rookie centre fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. made a diving catch of Flowers line drive in the second. In the seventh, Eaton doubled off the Green Monster, with the ball coming down off left fielder Jonny Gomes nose. Gomes retrieved it and made a throw that was relayed by rookie third baseman Xander Bogaerts to catcher Christian Vazquez, who was making his major-league debut. Gomes spent the rest of the half-inning plugging his nose with his undershirt, apparently to keep it from bleeding, but remained in the game. NOTES: Vazquez was called up to replace C A.J. Pierzynski, who was designated for assignment. ... Sale would be the first White Sox pitcher to make three straight All-Star teams since Jack McDowell in 1991-93. ... Uehara was named to the All-Star team as a replacement for Yankees starter Masihiro Tanaka, who was placed on the DL on Wednesday.... Rubby De La Rosa, who was recalled from Triple-A earlier Wednesday, gave up three runs and six hits, striking out three in five innings. ' ' '