NEW YORK -- The founder of an anti-steroids organization that worked with Alex Rodriguez since he first admitted using performance-enhancing drugs four years ago is disappointed the slugger has still not called to explain his recent doping suspension.
Don Hooton tells The Associated Press at an event for the Taylor Hooton Foundation at Yankee Stadium on Sunday that he wished A-Rod would've reached out before Major League baseball banned him last week for 211 games as a result of the investigation into a now-closed Florida anti-aging clinic.
The Yankees third baseman is appealing the suspension.
Hooton said Rodriguez had done an outstanding job for the foundation but all the good work has been wiped out by the suspension.
Rodriguez first joined with Hooton after admitting in 2009 that he used steroids with the Texas Rangers from 2001-2003. Don Hooton started the foundation after his 17-year-old son committed suicide in 2003.
