A-Rod issues vague handwritten apology, Twitter reacts

Alex Rodriguez released a handwritten apology Tuesday regarding his suspension last season.

The apology, addressed “to the Fans,” doesn’t go into detail about what led to Rodriguez’s suspension, referring only to his “mistakes” and “actions.”

He mentions performance-enhancing drugs only in noting that he “served the longest suspension in the history of the league for PED use.”

The last three paragraphs of the five-paragraph note refer to his desire to move on. Rodriguez turned down New York’s offer to use Yankee Stadium for a news conference.

Here’s the full text of the apology:

To the Fans,

I take full responsibility for the mistakes that led to my suspension for the 2014 season. I regret that my actions made the situation worse than it needed to be. To Major League Baseball, the Yankees, the Steinbrenner family, the Players Association and you, the fans, I can only say I’m sorry.

I accept the fact that many of you will not believe my apology or anything that I say at this point. I understand why and that’s on me. It was gracious of the Yankees to offer me the use of Yankee Stadium for this apology, but I decided that next time I am in Yankee Stadium, I should be in pinstripes doing my job.

I served the longest suspension in the history of the league for PED use. The Commissioner has said the matter is over. The Players Association has said the same. The Yankees have said the next step is to play baseball.

I’m ready to put this chapter behind me and play some ball.

This game has been my single biggest passion since I was a teenager. When I go to Spring Training, I will do everything I can to be the best player and teammate possible, earn a spot on the Yankees and help us win.

Sincerely,

Alex

Here’s the response on Twitter:

This story was originally published February 17, 2015 at 1:08 PM with the headline "A-Rod issues vague handwritten apology, Twitter reacts."