A-Rod thinks that his 162-game suspension could actually be a blessing in disguise

Alex Rodriguez made his first public comments since his suspension yesterday. They came at a promotional appearance in Mexico. He didn’t talk about the specifics of his ban or his legal strategy, but he did say something interesting about its effect. He thinks it may actually be a blessing in disguise:

“I think that in the year 2014, the league could have done me a favor because I’ve played 20 years without a timeout,” Rodriguez said in his first public comments since his suspension appeal was rejected last week. “I think 2014 will be a year to rest mentally and physically prepare myself for the future and begin a new chapter of my life.”

One wonders where that little bit of realism and perspective was last spring when he could have taken a 50 game suspension while he was on the disabled list. One also wonders why, if he’s viewing this as a chance to reset, he’s appealing his ban to federal court. I mean, sure, he has the right to do that, but if that right doesn’t match up with a desire to actually have it all overturned and to get back on the field in 2014, what the heck is the friggin’ point?