Alex Rodriguez Meets MLB Officials to Discuss Gambling Allegations

August 24, 2011

Alex Rodriguez’s past catches up with him as he will meet with Major League Baseball officials this week in Baltimore to discuss allegations the New York Yankees’ All-Star third baseman took part in illegal poker games.

“I’ll be talking to you guys on Friday afternoon,” Rodriguez told reporters yesterday. “I can’t wait.”

Rodriguez missed last night’s 6-5 loss to the Oakland Athletics with a sprained left thumb. He hurt himself fielding a ground ball at Minnesota on Aug. 21, his first game since returning from July 11 knee surgery.

Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig acknowledged the investigation of the allegations against Rodriguez this month. “We take this matter very seriously,” Selig’s office said in an e-mail.

Rodriguez, a three-time American League Most Valuable Player, in 2005 said he frequently used illegal gambling venues. He said at the time that it was a mistake and that he “would never be back.”

Rodriguez, 36, played in at least two high-stakes games, according to a report on celebrity website RadarOnline.com citing poker professional Dan Bilzerian and another unidentified eyewitness. Rodriguez also helped organize and participated in a 2009 poker game in Miami.