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. Bobby Hebert Saints Jersey . - Zac Leslie scored two goals and assisted on two more, and Justin Nichols made 34 saves as the Guelph Storm blanked the Kitchener Rangers 6-0 in Ontario Hockey League action on Sunday. Rickey Jackson Jersey .5 million contract with the right-handed reliever. Ziegler revealed the agreement via Twitter, saying hes "really excited to stay in Arizona for a couple more years, at least. http://www.authenticsaintssportsonline.com/saints-alvin-kamara-gold-jersey/ . - Frankie (The Answer) Edgar dominated B. Willie Roaf Jersey . The deals were announced on Friday. Beckham will receive $4.175 million in base salary, while De Aza will receive $4.25 million. Beckham hit .267 with five home runs and 24 RBIs over 103 games last season, his fifth with the White Sox. Thomas Morstead Jersey . -- Jane Kish stopped all 25 shots she faced as the Weyburn Gold Wings blanked the Sudbury Lady Wolves 3-0 on Friday to advance to the gold-medal game at the Esso Cup.NEW YORK -- Mets ace Matt Harveys ailing elbow is feeling better, and the right-hander said Tuesday he is still optimistic he can avoid reconstructive surgery that would likely sideline him for all of next season. Harvey will visit Dr. James Andrews on Monday before deciding whether he will undergo Tommy John surgery. "Everything feels fine, my arm feels great," the 24-year-old right-hander said. "I am still very optimistic about everything, but I am not a doctor so we will see what happens." In his first public comments since Aug. 26, when the Mets said he had a partial ligament tear, Harvey said he hasnt yet had a second MRI to determine the best course of action going forward. He has been icing his elbow and riding a stationary bike since he was shut down for the season last month. Harvey said the swelling is down and that pain subsided two days after he put a ball down. "We wanted to get the second opinion, let the swelling settle down before we went in and started any rehab or anything like that," he said. "Were going to wait to see how Monday goes with Dr. Andrews. "I am not going to make an immediate decision while I am down there. Whether it is another week or whatnot, I am going to talk to as many people as I can. If we do go the surgery route, having it sooner so maybe I can get back in September next year ... its a possibility. We havent gotten that far." Harvey, the All-Star game starter for the National League, joined Mets teammates David Wright and Zack Wheeler, along with Jeff Wilpon -- the teams chief operating officer -- at a Manhattan firehouse in advance of the anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks on New York. Harvey was in middle school in Connecticut on the day the World Trade Center was struck by hijacked airliners. "I still remember hearing about it," he said. "It was a scary time. We didnt know what was going on. We were so young and so close. I had spent a lot of time in New York City, and realizing what was really going on was a scary moment. "The way that America bounced back and handled everything, it was something really special to see." Wright, who is also sidelined by injury, has been a regular visitor to firehouses as the anniversary of the attacks approaches each year. Photos and memorials to the 16 firefighters from Engine 54, Ladder 4, Battalion 9, who were killed that day adorn the walls at the station. The players posed for photos with current firefighters, adorning helmets and coats, before signing hats and baseballs..dddddddddddd Wright remembers fondly the home run hit by Mets catcher Mike Piazza, the clubs star of that time, in their first home game after the attacks. "That is probably my favourite baseball moment of all time, watching Mike Piazza hit that home run, and the USA chants, and the American flags," Wright said. "Just for that split-second, the city of New York got distracted a little bit from that tremendous tragedy. "As Ive said a million times, its a shame we only get to celebrate these men and women once a year, and it has to be under these circumstances. I couldnt be more appreciative, and I look forward to this trip every year." Harvey expressed similar thoughts on his first visit to the firehouse. He could very well be back there again next year. Whether he will be back on the mound is a much bigger question mark. "I am going to get as many opinions as I can," Harvey said. "Which way I decide to go, I am going to go 150 per cent. You have to weigh the risk of having surgery. In my mind, if I can rehab and throw for 10-plus years like (Phillies pitcher) Roy Halladay has then ... but everyone is different. "I can go off how I feel and what I believe in, but when its a doctors decision and hes throwing issues out there that are not going to be able to help from rehab, then obviously decisions will have to be made." If Harvey faces a long recovery period, the Mets would like for him to get started on it as soon as possible. "I know Matt and the organization dont want to lose two years," Wilpon said. "If its got to be a year, and thats what it ends up being, then were prepared for that and well deal with it. I dont think anybody wants it to be longer than that." NOTES: Mets left-handed reliever Scott Rice underwent surgery on Tuesday to repair bilateral sports hernias. ... SS Ruben Tejada was recalled from Las Vegas of the Pacific Coast League. He had been optioned to Las Vegas on July 7. ... The Mets 2014 schedule was released Tuesday. New York will open the season at home on March 31 against Washington. The Mets will play exhibition games against Toronto at Montreals Olympic Stadium on March 28-29, the first major league games there since the Expos final game on Sept. 29, 2004, before the franchise moved to Washington. ... Wilpon said a report that the Mets would be leaving WFAN radio was "fairly accurate" and added "we are still negotiating with numerous parties about what we are going to do with our radio rights." ' ' '