A-Rod has taken criticism for his steroid use from friends and foes alike, but one minor league team took it to a new level.
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After an attempt by a minor league baseball team to host a “A-Rod Juice Box Night” promotion – mocking Alex Rodriguez’s steroid use – the New York Yankees have pressured the team to cancel the event.
The Charlotte Stone Crabs, the Single-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays, were planning on hosting the “A-Rod Juice Box Night” this past Friday, in which they would give 500 free juice boxes away to fans that had the label “100% Juiced. Side Affects [sic] include: tainted records, inflated ego, omission from the Hall of Fame, and more!” The juice boxes were an obvious reference to Rodriguez’s steroid use, for which he was suspended the entire 2014 season for.
Minor-league team disses A-Rod with juice box night: http://t.co/8UT3hnbwyi pic.twitter.com/ocn17ghfHQ
— Mike Oz (@mikeoz) May 22, 2015
Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times Tweeted that the the Yankees front office objected – a somewhat rare defense of their highly-paid slugger – as did the Tampa Bay Rays.
#Yankees have contacted MLB, #Rays and FSL about @StoneCrabs A-Rod Juice Box Night promotion, find it “in poor taste”
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) May 22, 2015
#Yankees spokesman Jason Zillo: “We have taken many steps in last few hours to get them to cease and desist.”
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) May 22, 2015
As a result, the event was cancelled and the Stone Crabs removed all mentions or references to the event.
Word is now that @StoneCrabs have canceled the A-Rod Juice Box Night promotion after #Yankees and #Rays objected, found it in poor taste
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) May 22, 2015
The team later apologized publicly for making an event that was in poor taste.
From @StoneCrabs on A-Rod promotion: “We in no way meant any ill-intent or to offend anyone through this promotion” + “sincerely apologize”
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) May 22, 2015
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