also touched on the questions surrounding the teams lea

NEW YORK -- Alex Rodriguez said Wednesday hes cutting off all non-baseball talk after a wild weekend of accusations and retaliations on and off the field. Playing while he appeals a 211-game suspension for violating baseballs drug agreement and labour contract, the New York Yankees star and his fleet of lawyers and representatives sparred with the Yankees and Major League Baseball over his medical care and evidence in the doping case that stems from MLBs investigation into Biogenesis, the now-closed Florida anti-aging clinic accused of distributing performance-enhancing drugs. "I think thats behind us now. Ive shut everything down," Rodriguez said. "I want everything to be 100 per cent on baseball and thats what I want my guys to focus on." Rodriguez was not in the Yankees lineup Wednesday night, a day after playing both games of a doubleheader against the Toronto Blue Jays. The teams will play a day game Thursday. "I felt I couldnt play him both tonight and tomorrow, its probably too much," manager Joe Girardi said. Rodriguezs change of public-relations strategy comes after a weekend in Boston that turned increasingly intense and bizarre. -- While the Yankees were playing the AL East-leading Red Sox, it was learned Rodriguez paid Florida-based attorney Susy Ribero-Ayala in February to represent Anthony Bosch, head of the Biogenesis of America anti-aging clinic. ESPN first reported the deal. -- Rodriguezs newest lawyer, Joseph Tacopina, accused the Yankees of botching the sluggers medical care last post-season when the three-time MVP was benched and pinch hit for during a pitiful playoff performance. Rodriguez had left hip surgery in January. -- Team president Randy Levine basically dared A-Rod to file a grievance, and the slugger said his lawyers would ask the players union to do so. -- Yankees general manager Brian Cashman told reporters on the field in Boston that he felt "lied to" by Rodriguez regarding his medical care, and that he doesnt feel comfortable talking to one of the teams most important players because they are in "a litigious environment." -- Finally on Monday, MLB wrote to Tacopina, urging him to waive his clients confidentiality under baseballs Joint Drug Agreement so all the evidence relating to the drug case could be released. The letter was given to Tacopina on the "Today" show. Tacopina rejected the offer. "I think thats behind us now," Rodriguez said. "Out of respect to my team and my manager and my coaches we are in the middle of a pennant race. Were playing pretty well right now. We want to keep the focus on the field." Rodriguez wasnt free of controversy on the field, either. In the second inning of Sundays nationally televised game, Bostons Ryan Dempster threw three close pitches at Rodriguez before hitting him with another. Manager Joe Girardi was ejected for his outburst after Dempster was not ejected. The moment appeared to galvanize the team, and the third baseman led the charge with a long home run that kicked off a sixth inning rally. Dempster was suspended Tuesday for five games and fined $2,500. Rodriguez would not comment on the penalty. Rodriguez returned from hip surgery Aug. 5, the day he was suspended by MLB. The Yankees were swept three straight by the lowly Chicago White Sox in his first three games but have been on a tear since. Theyve won nine of 12 to creep back into the AL wild-card race -- 4 1/2 games back of the second spot. Rodriguez is batting .296 with two homers and six RBIs in 15 games. "I think if we keep doing what weve been doing the last two weeks -- I think were playing with a lot of energy, a lot of confidence, (getting) a lot of contributions from a lot of people," Rodriguez said. "I think we have an opportunity thats special and we want to put the focus on the field." Jeffrey Springs Jersey .C. -- Calgarys Kevin Koe did it the hard way again. Jose Trevino Rangers Jersey . -- The St. Johns IceCaps weathered a wild first period with the help of goaltender Jussi Olkinuora, before finding offensive inroads in the second. https://www.cheaprangersbaseball.com/ .Y. -- Jayna Hefford scored the winning goal Friday as Canada survived a scare with a 4-3 win over Sweden at the Four Nations womens hockey tournament. Goose Gossage Rangers Jersey . Now that hes hitting streaking teammates with pin-point passes for easy layups, Love is asserting himself as one of the true superstars in the league. Kolby Allard Jersey . Speaking Thursday on TSN 1050 Thursday, the Leafs GM also touched on the questions surrounding the teams leadership and the struggles of his big-name free-agent signing. “Its not from lack of effort from the coaching staff. Colin Cooper has been confirmed as the coach of the Chiefs in a three-year deal from 2018.Cooper, who coaches the Maori All Blacks and provincial side Taranaki, will replace Dave Rennie who is off to coach in Scotland after next season.Cooper, 57, previously coached the Hurricanes for eight years up until 2010.He was excited at being involved in Super Rugby again.To have the opportunity to develop young players and coaches for the future of New Zealand rugby is something Im very passionate about, Cooper said in a statement oon Wednesday morning.dddddddddddd.Chiefs chief executive Andrew Flexman says Cooper has a proven track record at international, Super Rugby and provincial levels.We have every confidence he will enhance the legacy Dave Rennie and his team have established here at the Chiefs.The fact he is a homegrown coach and is passionate about nurturing young talent will continue to give us a competitive edge. ' ' '