NEW YORK -- Alex Rodriguez ended his extended and acrimonious fight with Major League Baseball on Friday, withdrawing a pair of lawsuits and accepting a season-long suspension that marks the longest penalty in the sports history related to performance-enhancing drugs. Patrick DiMarco Jersey . Rodriguez, who has steadfastly denied using banned substances while with the New York Yankees, made the decision nearly four weeks after arbitrator Fredric Horowitz largely upheld the discipline issued last summer by baseball Commissioner Bud Selig. "I think its a good move for him," former Commissioner Fay Vincent said. "A-Rod had no chance legally, and the commissioner got his authority validated." Rodriguez was among 14 players suspended last summer following MLBs investigation of a Florida anti-aging clinic accused of distributing banned substances. Given the harshest punishment, A-Rod was the only player to contest his penalty. The Major League Baseball Players Association filed a grievance, arguing Rodriguezs 211-game ban was unwarranted or at the very least excessive. Rodriguez also sued MLB and Selig in October, accusing them of "vigilante justice" as part of a "witch hunt" against him. Horowitz presided over 12 days of hearings last fall highlighted by Rodriguezs decision not to testify. Horowitz concluded on Jan. 11 there was "clear and convincing evidence" Rodriguez used three banned substances over the course of three years -- human growth hormone, testosterone and Insulin-like growth factor 1. Horowitz also ruled A-Rod twice tried to obstruct baseballs investigation, but he nonetheless reduced the suspension to 162 games plus the 2014 post-season after weighing it against baseballs "just cause" standard. Rodriguez sued MLB and the union two days later in federal court in Manhattan, claiming the arbitration process was flawed. But the Supreme Court has established narrow grounds for overturning arbitrators decisions, and legal experts said Rodriguez had virtually no chance of succeeding in his attempt to have Horowitzs decision vacated. Without making any admissions, Rodriguezs lawyers filed notices of dismissal in both cases Friday. MLB issued a low-key statement calling the decision to end the litigation "prudent." "We believe that Mr. Rodriguezs actions show his desire to return the focus to the play of our great game on the field and to all of the positive attributes and actions of his fellow major league players," the sport said. "We share that desire." Rodriguez had angered many of his fellow players by suing his own union in an attempt to avoid a suspension. Withdrawing the lawsuits was perhaps the start of mending relationships with fellow players. "Alex Rodriguez has done the right thing by withdrawing his lawsuit," the union said in a statement. "His decision to move forward is in everyones best interest." Rodriguez in 2009 admitted he used banned substances from 2001-03 while with Texas, before baseball had penalties in place for PEDs. After MLBs investigation was sparked 13 months ago by a report in Miami New Times, Rodriguez repeatedly said he had not failed any drug test and claimed evidence provided to MLB by Anthony Bosch, founder of the Biogenesis of America clinic, was not trustworthy. When Horowitz issued his decision, the three-time AL MVP defiantly proclaimed, "No player should have to go through what I have been dealing with." He announced, "I am exhausting all options to ensure not only that I get justice, but that players contracts and rights are protected." But a few hours after the Arizona Diamondbacks became the first team this year to start spring training workouts, and with the Yankees a week from opening camp, Rodriguez folded quietly. He was in Miami on Friday and made no public remarks. "The statements that were issued say everything that needs to be said. We have no further comments on this matter," Joseph Tacopina, one of Rodriguezs nine attorneys, said in an email. Tacopina said Rodriguez no longer intended to report this month to the Yankees training camp in Tampa, Fla. Suspensions only cover regular-season games and the post-season, with exhibitions specifically exempted. Rodriguez will lose most of his $25 million salary -- Horowitz ruled he is entitled to 21-183rds, which comes to $2,868,852.46. The third baseman will be 39 when he is eligible to return in a year, and he has incentive to play during the final three seasons of his contract. The Yankees owe him $21 million in 2015 and $20 million in each of the final two seasons of the record $275 million, 10-year deal. But the 14-time All-Star has been hobbled by injuries in recent years and has not played a full season since 2007. The timing of Rodriguezs decision was set in motion by U.S. District Judge Edgardo Ramos, who on Jan. 30 told the players lawyers to respond by Friday to arguments from MLB and the union that the case should be dismissed. Rodriguez does have one lawsuit remaining. He sued Yankees physician Dr. Christopher Ahmad and New York-Presbyterian Hospital in New York State Supreme Court in October, claiming they mishandled his medical care during the 2012 AL playoffs. Rodriguez later was diagnosed with a hip injury that required surgery and did not return to the Yankees until Aug. 5 -- hours after his suspension was announced by Selig. Eric Wood Jersey . -- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have released veteran guard Davin Joseph, a mainstay on their offensive line over the past eight seasons. Mike Tolbert Jersey . In sunny and almost windless conditions, the Swede shot four consecutive birdies on the front nine on his way to a 68 and went 9 under for a one-shot lead over Englands Lee Slattery and two over Paraguays Farbrizio Zanotti (68). http://www.billsnflgears.com/ . -- Broncos defensive end Derek Wolfe was alert and recovering at a Denver hospital Saturday after suffering seizure-like symptoms when the teams bus pulled into the airport Friday afternoon for the flight to Kansas City.BALTIMORE -- The Baltimore Orioles appear to be getting the pitching they so desperately need to be contenders in the AL East. Or maybe they just caught the Tampa Bay Rays at exactly the right time. Miguel Gonzalez and two relievers combined on a six-hitter, and the Orioles capitalized on two infield singles by Adam Jones in a 3-0 victory Wednesday. Nick Markakis also had two hits for the Orioles, who outscored the Rays 10-1 in the rain-abbreviated, two-game series. Baltimore has won five of seven to reach .500 (7-7) for the first time since the second game of the season. "Its not about the hitters, its about the starting pitchers setting the tone, and we follow suit," Jones said. "In the last two games, the starters and then our bullpen comes in and shuts them down." Gonzalez (1-1) gave up three hits and three walks in five innings after entering with a 9.64 ERA. Zach Britton permitted two singles over three innings to keep his ERA at 0.00, and Tommy Hunter got three outs for his fourth save. The Rays came up empty against the third and fourth pitchers in the Baltimore rotation. After Wei-Yin Chen excelled on Monday, Gonzalez righted himself at the expense of the struggling Tampa Bay lineup. Wil Myers struck out three times, and the Rays got only one extra-base hit. Tampa Bay has scored only 14 runs in its last nine games and has been held under three runs in nine of 15 games this season, including three shutouts. "We faced 153 pitches today and didnt score a run. Thats difficult to do," manager Joe Maddon said. "Our at bats have been good; the results havent been." Myers, who is batting .200, said, "Were not getting it done with the bats. Especially me. I havent done too much at the plate." Tampa Bays biggest threat came in the seventh, when a walk and singles by Yunel Escobar and Jose Molina loaded the bases against Britton with one out. Ben Zobrist hit into a force play at the plate, and Myers struck out. "I had a chance to make something happen and couldnt get the big hit," Myers said. "Thats been the frustrating thing, not getting the hit to help the team." Tampa Bay starter Jake Odorizzi (1-2) alloowed three runs and five hits in five innings. Tyrod Taylor Jersey. Because Tuesday nights game was postponed by rain, all players wore No. 42 to honour Jackie Robinson a day later than originally planned. The jerseys were worn over long-sleeved shirts, because the temperature at the start of the game was 39 degrees. Playing at designated hitter instead of centre field after returning from an illness, Jones reached on a bunt in a two-run fourth inning and drove in a run with a 50-foot chop down the third-base line in the fifth. "Sometimes youve just got to be able to use your legs," Jones said. "Youre not always going to be able to swing the bat to the best of your ability or the way you would like to. So in certain situations its smart to drop a bunt down and get your timing back." Both starting pitchers dominated until the fourth inning. In the top half, the Rays got runners on first and second with one out before David DeJesus hit a sinking liner to right. Markakis caught the ball and threw to second for a double play. In the bottom half, Baltimore used a walk and two singles to load the bases with no outs. After Matt Wieters delivered a fly ball to the warning track that advanced all three runners, J.J. Hardy hit a run-scoring grounder for a 2-0 lead. Baltimore loaded the bases with two outs in the fifth before Jones hit a dribbler down the line that stopped on the chalk. NOTES: Tampa Bay heads home for a four-game series against the New York Yankees beginning Thursday night. David Price (2-0) faces CC Sabathia in the opener. ... The Orioles have Thursday off before facing Boston from Friday through Monday. Mondays 11 a.m. start, which comes after a Sunday night meeting, is the annual Patriots Day game and marks the one-year anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombing. "What that day represents to Boston and our country, we all consider it an honour to be lucky enough to have the schedule fall that way," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. "I think were all looking forward to paying the respect due there." ... Orioles 1B Chris Davis has reached base in 13 straight games. He stole his second base of the season. ... Wieters has 54 RBIs against Tampa Bay. Wholesale Authentic Jerseys Wholesale Nike NFL Jerseys Jerseys From China Cheap NFL Jerseys Authentic Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Store Cheap Jerseys 2018 ' ' '