Alex Rodriguez's high school coach reacts to suspension, says slugger will keep fighting

MIAMI – Alex Rodriguez's high school coach says he expects the New York Yankees slugger to keep fighting to stay in the game.

Rich Hofman was not surprised Monday to learn that Major League Baseball gave the three-time Most Valuable Player a 211-game ban for involvement with performance-enhancing drugs.

Hofman coached Rodriguez at Westminster Christian in Miami, up until the player was drafted No. 1 overall by Seattle in 1993. Hofman says that Rodriguez "is a fighter" and that he wouldn't be surprised if the third baseman finds a way to play at a high level during his appeal of the suspension.

Hofman also says that if Rodriguez was again using PEDs, he should be punished.