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Manfred proud of A-Rod for going out on 'positive note'

Mark L. Baer / USA TODAY Sports

Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred has nothing but good thoughts about Alex Rodriguez's career.

"God has been kind to me: I have a very short memory," Manfred told reporters Thursday. "When I think about Alex, I have to tell you, I really don't think about three years ago. I think about how positive he was about re-entering the game. The extensive effort that he went through to make that re-entry positive. The fact that he performed amazingly well last year. ...

"I'm always glad, Alex or any other player, to see a player go out on a positive note."

Rodriguez was famously suspended for the entire 2014 season by former commissioner Bud Selig for violating the league's performance enhancing drug policy. Upon his reinstatement, he met with Manfred - at the time beginning his tenure as the league's 10th commissioner - and apologized for his transgressions, while guaranteeing that there would be no issues moving forward.

The three-time MVP kept his word, and drastically repaired his image around the league and in the public eye, before he and the New York Yankees agreed to cut ties last weekend.

During his two-year tenure as commissioner, Manfred has been outspoken about his support of Rodriguez in rebuilding his image.

"I think Alex has done a great job re-entering in a difficult situation,'' Manfred said last summer. "Whenever a player is suspended, it's difficult to return to the field. He's played well, and good for him.

"I'm pleased for him.''

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