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NEW YORK -- Alex Rodriguez ended his extended and acrimonious fight with Major League Baseball on Friday, withdrawing a pair of lawsuits and accepting a season-long suspension that marks the longest penalty in the sports history related to performance-enhancing drugs. Rodriguez, who has steadfastly denied using banned substances while with the New York Yankees, made the decision nearly four weeks after arbitrator Fredric Horowitz largely upheld the discipline issued last summer by baseball Commissioner Bud Selig. "I think its a good move for him," former Commissioner Fay Vincent said. "A-Rod had no chance legally, and the commissioner got his authority validated." Rodriguez was among 14 players suspended last summer following MLBs investigation of a Florida anti-aging clinic accused of distributing banned substances. Given the harshest punishment, A-Rod was the only player to contest his penalty. The Major League Baseball Players Association filed a grievance, arguing Rodriguezs 211-game ban was unwarranted or at the very least excessive. Rodriguez also sued MLB and Selig in October, accusing them of "vigilante justice" as part of a "witch hunt" against him. Horowitz presided over 12 days of hearings last fall highlighted by Rodriguezs decision not to testify. Horowitz concluded on Jan. 11 there was "clear and convincing evidence" Rodriguez used three banned substances over the course of three years -- human growth hormone, testosterone and Insulin-like growth factor 1. Horowitz also ruled A-Rod twice tried to obstruct baseballs investigation, but he nonetheless reduced the suspension to 162 games plus the 2014 post-season after weighing it against baseballs "just cause" standard. Rodriguez sued MLB and the union two days later in federal court in Manhattan, claiming the arbitration process was flawed. But the Supreme Court has established narrow grounds for overturning arbitrators decisions, and legal experts said Rodriguez had virtually no chance of succeeding in his attempt to have Horowitzs decision vacated. Without making any admissions, Rodriguezs lawyers filed notices of dismissal in both cases Friday. MLB issued a low-key statement calling the decision to end the litigation "prudent." "We believe that Mr. Rodriguezs actions show his desire to return the focus to the play of our great game on the field and to all of the positive attributes and actions of his fellow major league players," the sport said. "We share that desire." Rodriguez had angered many of his fellow players by suing his own union in an attempt to avoid a suspension. Withdrawing the lawsuits was perhaps the start of mending relationships with fellow players. "Alex Rodriguez has done the right thing by withdrawing his lawsuit," the union said in a statement. "His decision to move forward is in everyones best interest." Rodriguez in 2009 admitted he used banned substances from 2001-03 while with Texas, before baseball had penalties in place for PEDs. After MLBs investigation was sparked 13 months ago by a report in Miami New Times, Rodriguez repeatedly said he had not failed any drug test and claimed evidence provided to MLB by Anthony Bosch, founder of the Biogenesis of America clinic, was not trustworthy. When Horowitz issued his decision, the three-time AL MVP defiantly proclaimed, "No player should have to go through what I have been dealing with." He announced, "I am exhausting all options to ensure not only that I get justice, but that players contracts and rights are protected." But a few hours after the Arizona Diamondbacks became the first team this year to start spring training workouts, and with the Yankees a week from opening camp, Rodriguez folded quietly. He was in Miami on Friday and made no public remarks. "The statements that were issued say everything that needs to be said. We have no further comments on this matter," Joseph Tacopina, one of Rodriguezs nine attorneys, said in an email. Tacopina said Rodriguez no longer intended to report this month to the Yankees training camp in Tampa, Fla. Suspensions only cover regular-season games and the post-season, with exhibitions specifically exempted. Rodriguez will lose most of his $25 million salary -- Horowitz ruled he is entitled to 21-183rds, which comes to $2,868,852.46. The third baseman will be 39 when he is eligible to return in a year, and he has incentive to play during the final three seasons of his contract. The Yankees owe him $21 million in 2015 and $20 million in each of the final two seasons of the record $275 million, 10-year deal. But the 14-time All-Star has been hobbled by injuries in recent years and has not played a full season since 2007. The timing of Rodriguezs decision was set in motion by U.S. District Judge Edgardo Ramos, who on Jan. 30 told the players lawyers to respond by Friday to arguments from MLB and the union that the case should be dismissed. Rodriguez does have one lawsuit remaining. He sued Yankees physician Dr. Christopher Ahmad and New York-Presbyterian Hospital in New York State Supreme Court in October, claiming they mishandled his medical care during the 2012 AL playoffs. Rodriguez later was diagnosed with a hip injury that required surgery and did not return to the Yankees until Aug. 5 -- hours after his suspension was announced by Selig. Shin-Soo Choo Jersey . Speaking on Leafs Lunch with Bryan Hayes and Jamie McLennan on Thursday, Bernier said it was "very hard" at times being entrenched behind Jonathan Quick and is now excited at the prospect of getting an opportunity to compete with Reimer for the top spot with the Leafs. Jon Niese Jersey . -- D.A. 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Texas Rangers Jerseys . -- Adam Tambellini scored three times and set up one more as the Calgary Hitmen won their sixth in a row by crushing the host Lethbridge Hurricanes 8-1 on Saturday in Western Hockey League play.MINNEAPOLIS - Five starts into his NFL career with Minnesota, Teddy Bridgewater has looked a lot like a rookie throughout much of his time on the field.With time winding down and the Vikings needing to score, though, hes been at his best.Bridgewater threw a touchdown pass in the final minute of the first half and made four first-down throws on the go-ahead drive in the fourth quarter, helping the Vikings spoil the first game back for Robert Griffin III by beating the Washington Redskins 29-26 on Sunday.Sometimes youre going to have some slow starts, but its all about how you finish the game, said Bridgewater, who completed 26 of 42 passes for 268 yards without a turnover and ran three times for 20 yards.Matt Asiata rushed for three touchdowns for the Vikings (4-5), who sacked Griffin five times, including on three straight plays in the third quarter. They rallied from deficits of 10-0, 20-14 and 26-21.Dont try to be perfect. Just play football, coach Mike Zimmer told Bridgewater before the game.He misfired badly on several deep passes early, including an overthrow to Cordarrelle Patterson in the first quarter when the wide receiver didnt have a defender within 20 yards of him. Griffin, meanwhile, was busy making several crisp passes down the field in his first appearance following a seven-week absence due to a dislocated ankle.But after Bridgewaters incompletion on fourth-and-2 at the Washington 39 when he couldve run past the down marker, the Vikings gave him the ball right back on a diving interception by Captain Munnerlyn. Bridgewater went 3 for 4, finishing with a 20-yard touchdown throw to tight end Chase Ford, who had 66 yards on five catches.I love this kid: the way he goes about his business, his demeanour, the way he carries himself in front of the team, the way he carries himself in front of everybody else, Zimmer said. You couldnt ask for a better guy.Griffin went 18 for 28 for 251 yards and one touchdown plus 24 yards on seven carries for the Redskins (3-6), who had a rough start and finish to their afternoon.The two buses carrying players, coaches and other personnel to the stadium crashed on the interstate exit ramp a few blocks away, hard enough to shatter the windshield and causee some minor injuries.ddddddddddddThat didnt affect the game. Were going to have some bruises and some scrapes, but we were able to play, linebacker Trent Murphy said.A little later, a protest of thousands of people decrying their nickname took place outside the stadium. A report of disharmony in the locker room surrounding Griffins return to the field also surfaced prior to the game.Cant really worry about the negativity thats swirling around. Someday thatll stop. I truly believe that, said Griffin, who, like Bridgewater, took several hard hits.He had his chance to write a better ending for the story Sunday, but a sack put the Redskins in a third-and-20 situation from the 29 right after the 2-minute warning. Griffin gained 14 yards on a run to give them a manageable fourth down, but his throw to Pierre Garcon across the middle was low and skipped through the wide receivers legs.I couldve played better to help us win the game at the end, Griffin said. Ill still cherish those moments. In the next game that it comes, Ill come through.With an eight-play, 80-yard drive capped by second of two touchdowns by Alfred Morris, who had 92 yards on 19 carries, the Redskins surged ahead. The 2-point conversion failed, leaving the lead at 26-21 at the 9-minute mark.Yet another powerful plunge through the line by Asiata on third-and-goal from the 1 gave the Vikings the lead back, and his run on the 2-point conversion pushed the lead to three with 3:27 left. Bridgewater was in veteran form on that drive.You look at some of those back-shoulder throws and some of the routes they were able to break off because he escaped contain, those are things you have to be ready for when you play a guy like Teddy, Redskins safety Ryan Clark said.NOTES: Redskins rookie RB Silas Redd Jr. was inactive for the first time this season with back spasms, a casualty of the bus collision. ... The last time the Vikings defence had sacks on three straight snaps was Dec. 28, 2003, at Arizona. ... This was the fifth straight season these teams have played. The Vikings won four. ... DeSean Jackson had 120 yards receiving and a TD for the Redskins.___AP NFL websites: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' '