Yankees tell A-Rod to avoid illegal poker clubs

[aje]

NEW YORK -- Alex Rodriguez was cautioned by the New York Yankees that playing poker in illegal clubs could be dangerous and harmful to his image, according to a newspaper report.

Early last month, the Daily News reported the star slugger had attended games at an underground club with professional card player Phil Hellmuth.

Scott Boras, the third baseman's agent, denied that the Yankees had warned his client.

"The Yankees have never addressed or spoken with me in regard to any off-field activities regarding Alex Rodriguez. And the Yankees have never spoken to Alex regarding any of his off-field activities," Boras was quoted as saying in a story published Wednesday.

Playing at such clubs is not illegal, though it can be against the law to operate them, the Daily News reported.

Rodriguez was not punished or ordered to stay out of the clubs, but commissioner Bud Selig was monitoring the situation and could intervene if necessary, the newspaper said, citing sources it did not identify

[Senator7]

This is stupid. Poker is the biggest thing going right now. If A-Rod wants to play and it isn't illegal, then Selig and the Yanks should mind their own business.

The government will not be able to keep poker bottled up for long. Its on TV evey day, at all hours of the day. Poker is too big for the government to contain. Hopefully, when they cave on poker, they'll cave on sportsbetting too.

Senator 7

[bigboydan]

whats wrong with playing a little poker, what could possably go wrong

[pags11]

it's amazing how much these guys are scrutinized...people must follow them around trying to dig up as much dirt as possible...reminds me of that movie Rounders...I think it's cool if A-Rod plays a little poker...

[onlooker]

AROD plays poker? Good reason to hate the yankees more.

[bigboydan]

AROD plays poker?

apprently so looker but, the better question is how much does he lose playing poker

[Senator7]

apprently so looker but, the better question is how much does he lose playing poker

If he's getting lessons from and hanging with Phil Hellmuth, he's not losing very much. Hellmuth is an ass, but he's an incredible poker player. Easily one of the greatest ever.

Senator 7

[onlooker]

If he's getting lessons from and hanging with Phil Hellmuth, he's not losing very much. Hellmuth is an ass, but he's an incredible poker player. Easily one of the greatest ever.

Senator 7

Well Hellmuth better be careful. Every team AROD joins, he dont win with.

[Illusion]

Well Hellmuth better be careful. Every team AROD joins, he dont win with.

Yeah, no shit, lol.

[pags11]

do you think people ask for his autograph during the poker games?...

[Senator7]

Funny thing is, I know a lot of the celebrities (Ben Affleck, Shannon Elizabeth, Tobey Maguire) that ask for the poker pro's autograph. Poker pros are rock stars these days.

Senator 7

[bigboydan]

do you think people ask for his autograph during the poker games?...

i can just see it now, i call that autograph jersey and, raise you a signed game use bat

[Shawn01]

You know that #1 rule in baseball is to not gamble on baseball, with 1A of that rule being to never, ever, ever, gamble on teams you and/or your team are part of. The cardinal sin of baseball is that, and every ballplayer knows it. That's why I have no sympathy for Pete Rose. MLB is so paranoid about gambling that I can see why they would be bothered by a player getting in on those high stakes poker games.

[pags11]

I can't believe this was on sportscenter...

[bigboydan]

I can't believe this was on sportscenter...

i can pags, ESPN loves reporting anything and everything that comes out of the yankees organization. i mean it's nothing like kevin stevens did a few years back, when he got caught with cocain and a couple of hookers in a collinsville IL hotel room.that wasn't really reported on a national level like this innocident with Arod though but, much worse of a charge IMHOO.

[Shawn01]

There is a lot of crap on SportsCenter that doesn't belong there, or is not sports news. In fact, Christ Berman doesn't belong on SportsCenter, or anywhere else on ESPN.

[pags11]

dan, I wonder if the yankees won the world series, if they would have reported it?...or do they let it slide?...

[Senator7]

I can't figure out why this story is getting so much attention. Do you really think A-Rod is the only pro baseball player playing poker? EVERYONE is playing poker these days. They should have warned the whole league instead of singling out A-Rod.

Senator 7

[bigboydan]

dan, I wonder if the yankees won the world series, if they would have reported it?...or do they let it slide?...

odds are they would have still reported it, because Arod is a NY Yankee if for no other reason.

[pags11]

I guess poker is a better gambling outlet than betting on baseball...all of these athletes are just so dang competitive, many of them are gamblers as well...

[Razz]

If he's getting lessons from and hanging with Phil Hellmuth, he's not losing very much. Hellmuth is an ass, but he's an incredible poker player. Easily one of the greatest ever.

Senator 7

Incredible poker player, yes. Unfortunately, he is also an incredibly bad poker teacher, and his books are regarded as a laughingstock in the poker community.

[pags11]

we are going to have a poker night as a fund raiser, I better make sure I check with the proper authorities so we all don't get taken to jail...

[bigboydan]

we are going to have a poker night as a fund raiser, I better make sure I check with the proper authorities so we all don't get taken to jail...

even though you want to keep in the clear and all. not a good idea throwing up a red flag like that pags IMO

[pags11]

a softball team in town made $22,000 in one night...there were no cash prizes and all of the sign ups were considered donations...I'm going to look into it more...