New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez speaks to reporters during a news conference at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Fla., Feb. 17, 2009. Get past the money, and achievements on the field, and baseball still had trouble turning attention away from another old scourge, performance-enhancing drugs.
Nick Adenhart Tragedy
Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Jered Weaver pays his respect at a center field banner of Los Angeles Angels rookie pitcher Nick Adenhart who was killed in an auto accident in Fullerton, Calif., before their baseball game with the Boston Red Sox in Anaheim, Calif., April 10, 2009.
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New York Yankees' Jorge Posada batting during the sixth inning against the Oakland Athletics as few fans in the new Yankee Stadium look on, in New York, April 22, 2009.
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Mostly empty seats are seen at LandShark Stadium for the start of Game 1 of a double header between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Florida Marlins in Miami, May 20, 2009. Baseball heads toward the All-Star break with most teams still in contention for a playoff spot and more fans deciding it's just not worth the money to watch the races unfold in person.
Manny Being Baddy
Los Angeles Dodgers' Manny Ramirez laughs with teammates during batting practice while playing for the organization's Triple-A minor baseball league team, the Albuquerque Isotopes, in Albuquerque, N.M., June 23, 2009. Ramirez became the latest big-name players implicated using performance-enhancing drugs.
300 For Big Unit
San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Randy Johnson hugs his son Tanner, front, after the Giants beat the Washington Nationals 5-1 for Johnson's 300th career win, in the first game of a doubleheader, Thursday, June 4, 2009, in Washington.
Citi Field the home ballpark of New York Mets is seen June 12, 2009. The new ballpark has a capacity of 42,000 plus additional standing room, over 15,000 fewer seats than Shea Stadium. The exterior facade is reminiscent of Ebbets Field which was long sought by Mets owner Fred Wilpon, a Brooklyn native.
Pudge's Catcher Record
Houston Astros catcher Ivan Rodriguez acknowledges cheers from fans after a video tribute was played on the jumbo screen during the third inning against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Wednesday, June 17, 2009. Rodriguez caught his 2,227th career game Wednesday, surpassing Carlton Fisk to set the major league record.
Civil Rights Game
Cincinnati Reds manager Dusty Baker, left, stands with his son Darren Baker, center, and baseball great Hank Aaron, right, as the national anthem plays during the Civil Rights Game ceremony before a game between the Chicago White Sox and the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park, Saturday, June 20, 2009, in Cincinnati.
Fehr Strikes Out
Major League Baseball's Player's Association executive director Donald Fehr, right, talks with reporters after meeting with the Philadelphia Phillies before a spring training game against the Tampa Bay Rays in Clearwater, Fla. Fehr announced his retirement Monday June 22, 2009, as head of the baseball players' association no later than the end of March.
Greatest Closing Act
New York Yankees catcher Jorge Posada (20) embraces closer Mariano Rivera after Rivera earned his 500th save in the Yankees' 4-2 victory over the New York Mets in an interleague baseball game at Citi Field in New York, Sunday, June 28, 2009. Third baseman Alex Rodriguez (13) and shortstop Derek Jeter, second from left, wait their turn.
No-Hitter By The Bay
San Francisco Giants' Jonathan Sanchez, right, is embraced by catcher Eli Whiteside (22) after pitching a no-hitter against the San Diego Padres Friday, July 10, 2009, in San Francisco. Sanchez pitched the no-hitter using 110 pitches, 11 strike outs and no walks. After the final one, catcher Eli Whiteside came rushing with a hug, followed moments later by all their teammates.
All-Star Albert
St. Louis Cardinals' Albert Pujols hits a solo home run during the fifth inning against the Chicago Cubs, Friday, July 10, 2009, at Wrigley Field in Chicago. Hometown favorite Pujols figures to own the spotlight when the MLB All-Star game is played July 14 in St. Louis.