Alex Rodriguez's lawyer angered by MLB comment

Alex Rodriguez's attorney, Joe Tacopina, reacted angrily Saturday to Major League Baseball CEO Rob Manfred's characterization of the suit Rodriguez filed against MLB on Thursday.

Rodriguez filed papers claiming baseball is on a "witch hunt" aimed at driving him out of the game. He is appealing a 211-game suspension for violations of the joint drug agreement and Basic Agreement.

"The suit is so flawed from a legal perspective and so unfounded from a factual perspective, it does not affect our thinking on any topic," Manfred said in an email to Newsday, responding to whether the suit will impact the chances of an agreement on Rodriguez's suspension.

Tacopina issued the following statement: "Commissioner [Bud] Selig's and MLB's inexplicable personal animus toward Alex Rodriguez has brought them down to the level of protecting and relying primarily upon a witness under federal investigation for dealing performance-enhancing drugs to minors. Every player in the league, every fan who spends money on MLB tickets and gear, and every team whose money is being spent on this witch hunt should be asking Selig to explain and justify his actions.

"Every last allegation made in our suit pertaining to MLB's and Commissioner Selig's misconduct is supported by audio or video tapes, photographs, documents, witness affidavits, or otherwise indisputable evidence. And on the law, if this shameful endeavor by Commissioner Selig does not constitute tortious interference, then it must be that no one ever can count on obtaining relief from that tort, no matter how egregious the facts. Fortunately, that is not the state of the law in New York.

"We look forward to the opportunity to continue to press our defense against Selig's crusade to banish Alex later this month, and to pressing forward in our damages suit against he and his lieutenants."