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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Rodriguez defends cousin

Associated Press

ANAHEIM, Calif. – Alex Rodriguez defended having the cousin who supplied him with performance-enhancing drugs visit while the New York Yankees were on road trips.

“Look, my family is going to be my family now, and well after I’m done playing baseball,” Rodriguez said Friday.

“He’s been with me since I was born. I love him very much.”

Yuri Sucart was banned from the Yankees’ clubhouse, charter flights, bus and other team-related activities by Major League Baseball in 2009 after Rodriguez admitted he used steroids while with Texas from 2000-03, saying Sucart obtained and injected the drugs for him.

But according to published reports, Sucart was seen at the St. Regis Hotel in San Francisco after the Yankees’ game with the Oakland Athletics on Tuesday night.

The reports said a team source indicated Sucart has been on other trips with the 35-year-old All-Star third baseman.

“A couple of years ago I learned a very, very big lesson. And for me, my responsibilities have never been more clear,” Rodriguez added. “I’m very crystal clear in my responsibilities – both to this team and personally. I love my family – all my family – very much.”

MLB ruled on Thursday that the 48-year-old Sucart did not violate the ban.