A-Rod interview: An epic interview told by epic tweets

By Justin Bopp@justinbopp Nov 20, 2013, 5:29pm EST

The latest twist in the continuing Alex Rodriguez saga started this morning as he stormed out of the courtroom and called the entire arbitration process a "farce," which is ironic enough on its own.

But things really got going this afternoon as A-Rod joined Mike Francesa on WFAN and YES. Let's set the scene:

Alex Rodriguez is in studio right now with Mike Francesa on @YESNetwork
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) November 20, 2013

A-Rod is joined by his lawyer Jim McCarroll in studio.
— Andrew Marchand (@AndrewMarchand) November 20, 2013

Let's dive right in:

A-Rod says he "lost my mind" today, calling the entire situation "disgusting." Seems to be on the brink of losing it as he discusses Selig.
— Mark Feinsand (@FeinsandNYDN) November 20, 2013

A-Rod: "I exploded much worse than Paul O'Neill."
— Mark Feinsand (@FeinsandNYDN) November 20, 2013

Alex Rodriguez just called Bud Selig "The Man From Milwaukee."
— Matt Gelb (@magelb) November 20, 2013

OOOOH! Sick burn, A-Rod! You gonna take that, Bud?

A-Rod says the plan was for Selig to testify Thursday, then A-Rod would have testified on Friday.
— Mark Feinsand (@FeinsandNYDN) November 20, 2013

A-Rod really putting it to the Yankees: He's unshaven.
— Mark Feinsand (@FeinsandNYDN) November 20, 2013

More A-Rod: Storms out of hearing 'I did nothing' Goldman: Claims test credulity Boras defends A-Rod

What does everyone really want to know, though? Didja do it? Did ya do the 'roids, Alex? Say it ain't so! Say it ain't so!

A-Rod said he didn't do it.
— Andrew Marchand (@AndrewMarchand) November 20, 2013

A-Rod just said "No" to the question, "Did you do any PEDs?" That, to my knowledge, is the first time he's publicly answered that question.
— Mark Feinsand (@FeinsandNYDN) November 20, 2013

Whew! That's a relief. But shouldn't you be punished for something? Being a dick to Ryan Braun, maybe?

A-Rod: "I should not serve one inning."
— Mark Feinsand (@FeinsandNYDN) November 20, 2013

What's next on the agenda, then?

"I'm done. I don't have a chance. You let the arbiter decide whatever he decides." Alex Rodriguez on Mike Francesca's radio show. Wow.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 20, 2013

A-Rod's lawyer said, "If Bud Selig isn't coming to testify, Alex is not going back (to the hearing)."
— Mark Feinsand (@FeinsandNYDN) November 20, 2013

A-Rod to Selig: "I know you don't like New York. But you've got to come face me. This is my whole life. This is my legacy."
— Andy McCullough (@McCulloughSL) November 20, 2013

Alex: Rob Manfred said to me, "This wasn't my decision, this was Bud Selig's decision''
— wallace matthews (@ESPNNYYankees) November 20, 2013

A-Rod on Selig should appear: This is my whole life, my legacy. I'm part of history.
— Andrew Marchand (@AndrewMarchand) November 20, 2013

"Put your money where your mouth is or we'll go to Milwaukee and handle it there." HAH
— Mike Axisa (@mikeaxisa) November 20, 2013

Well at least he got that supposed ego thing in check.

[BRRRZZZZT RECORD SCRATCH BRRRZZZZT]

Wait, did you just say you were innocent of doing steroids?

Asked again to clarify that he is saying he did nothing wrong, A-Rod said, "That's correct."
— Mark Feinsand (@FeinsandNYDN) November 20, 2013

A-Rod says he never did PEDs or obstructed justice. Says he is innocent. "I feel like I should be there on Opening Day."
— Andy McCullough (@McCulloughSL) November 20, 2013

Here's my question: If A-Rod is denying any wrongdoing now, why didn't he just say that back in August? Makes no sense.
— Mark Feinsand (@FeinsandNYDN) November 20, 2013

That *is* a good question, Mark. Maybe Alex should just try being nice to Bud?

A-Rod asked Selig to have brunch, man-to-man, with Selig. The Commish declined.
— Andrew Marchand (@AndrewMarchand) November 20, 2013

Oh.

A-Rod: People tell me they hate me, but I'm getting railroaded
— Andrew Marchand (@AndrewMarchand) November 20, 2013

Arod lawyer: MLB's case comes down to Tony Bosch. That's their evidence
— wallace matthews (@ESPNNYYankees) November 20, 2013

Francesa going through each charge, to which A-Rod is answering "No" to each charge. Mike: "I'd be fighting too, if that's the case."
— Mark Feinsand (@FeinsandNYDN) November 20, 2013

Won't anyone defend A-Rod?

MLBPA statement: We agreed with A-Rod Selig had to testify, citing "right under our arbitration process to directly confront his accuser."
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) November 20, 2013

MLBPA statement: "We continue to vigorously challenge Alex's suspension within the context of this hearing."
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) November 20, 2013

Where do the Yankees come in?

Asked about the Yankees, A-Rod said, "I'm taking one fight at a time. Right now, it's baseball."
— Mark Feinsand (@FeinsandNYDN) November 20, 2013

A-Rod said he's angry at the Yankees, "But I do have a responsibility. I am the third baseman."
— Mark Feinsand (@FeinsandNYDN) November 20, 2013

What's the end game, then? Where does it stop?

Jim McCarroll, one of A-Rod's attorneys, says the arbitrator could rule in A-Rod's favor based on evidence that's already been presented.
— Mark Feinsand (@FeinsandNYDN) November 20, 2013

A-Rod says it is about the money
— Andrew Marchand (@AndrewMarchand) November 20, 2013

Of course it is.

Let's get meta for a second, shall we?

This is what one would charitably call a friendly interview. Francesa tells ARod he was railroaded.
— T.J. Quinn (@TJQuinnESPN) November 20, 2013

I'd kill to see real-time reax of officials at Park Avenue hq & Yankee Stadium right now as they listen to A-Rod just crush Selig, MLB.
— Amy K. Nelson (@AmyKNelson) November 20, 2013

While we're being honest:

A-Rod: "I'm not a lawyer. I'm having a hard enough time playing baseball."
— Andy McCullough (@McCulloughSL) November 20, 2013

Back to getting meta:

A-Rod, with his love of baseball and his issues, guilty or innocent, sounds more and more like Pete Rose by the moment
— Andrew Marchand (@AndrewMarchand) November 20, 2013

Not that this matters anymore, but this is the single most blatant disregarding of a collectively bargained agreement that I've ever seen.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 20, 2013

Is Mike Francesa interviewing ARod or acting as his defense attorney? Impossible to tell.
— Steve Berthiaume (@BertDbacks) November 20, 2013

Francesa has asked some legit questions about the process. But his giggling asides with A-Rod are embarrassing.
— John Harper (@NYDNHarper) November 20, 2013

Francesa says what's the difference between 211 and 311 games, well, it is $154K per game
— Andrew Marchand (@AndrewMarchand) November 20, 2013

A-Rod: "I'm so pissed off right now at the system."
— Mark Feinsand (@FeinsandNYDN) November 20, 2013

Mike Francesca advises A-Rod to "fight to the death." A-Rod nods. This is a day.
— Andy McCullough (@McCulloughSL) November 20, 2013

Oh good, this thing is over. My god, this thing is...

...it's not over.

A-Rod: "I'm so heated up and pissed off, I can't even think straight right now."
— Andy McCullough (@McCulloughSL) November 20, 2013

This A-Rod interview on WFAN is the best. Anybody who says this is bad for baseball is an idiot. This can't possibly be bad for anything.
— Adam Kilgore (@AdamKilgoreWP) November 20, 2013

Remember when MLB drug appeals process was confidential? Changed with Ryan Braun and obliterated with A-Rod. Might as well sell tickets.
— Tom (@Haudricourt) November 20, 2013

Now now, as much of a shit-show as this is, we're talking about people here. Real people, Tom!

ARod on his legal battle: "It's humanized me... people are coming to my defense."
— Steve Berthiaume (@BertDbacks) November 20, 2013

See?!

A-Rod just denied putting his phone # on a baseball & tossing it to attractive women. "I'm struggling, but I'm not struggling that much."
— Jimmy Traina (@JimmyTraina) November 20, 2013

At least Alex isn't taking this stuff personally. Business is business amirite?

A-Rod says Selig "hates my guts." So that's one thing he's gotten right.
— Ken Davidoff (@KenDavidoff) November 20, 2013

A-Rod: "100 percent this is personal."
— Mark Feinsand (@FeinsandNYDN) November 20, 2013

Anything we haven't covered that you'd like to discuss?

Hold on. Alex Rodriguez says there's stuff he can't get into? He has talked about EVERYTHING so far. And his lawyer says they respect CBA?!?
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 20, 2013

Ok, we're finally done. Can anyone explain what just happened?

Alex just threw everyone at MLB under the bus, by name, including Selig. He better start doing sweeps on all his cars. #torched
— Amy K. Nelson (@AmyKNelson) November 20, 2013