Rays’ minor league team cancels ‘A-Rod Juice Box’ promotion

New York Yankees' Alex Rodriguez (13) reacts after he struck out during the ninth inning of an interleague baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park, Tuesday, May 19, 2015, in Washington. The Nationals won 8-6 in 10 innings. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) New York Yankees' Alex Rodriguez (13) reacts after he struck out during the ninth inning of an interleague baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park, Tuesday, May 19, 2015, in Washington. The Nationals won 8-6 in 10 innings. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

By Associated Press May 22, 2015 1 min read

NEW YORK (AP) – A minor league team of the Tampa Bay Rays has canceled an “A-Rod Juice Box” promotion that barbed slugger Alex Rodriguez after a complaint by the New York Yankees.

The Class A Charlotte Stone Crabs of the Florida State League had planned the giveaway to the first 500 fans Friday night. The writing on the boxes said “100% percent juiced” with side effects that included “tainted records, inflated ego, omission from the Hall of Fame, and more!”

The Yankees spoke to Major League Baseball, the Rays and the FSL after learning of the promotion. Rodriguez, fourth on the career home run list, missed the 2014 season while serving a drug suspension and returned to the Yankees this year.

The Stone Crabs wiped out the event and issued an apology for the “insensitive nature” of the promotion, saying “we in no way meant any ill intent or to offend anyone.”