Alex Rodriguez issues apology for 'mistakes' that led to his suspension

In a handwritten statement, Alex Rodriguez apologized for the "mistakes" that led to his season-long suspension for performance-enhancing drugs.

"I'm ready to put this chapter behind me and play some ball," Rodriguez wrote in the statement. He called the Yankees "gracious" to offer Yankee Stadium for a press conference, but he opted instead to release the handwritten letter.

"I take full responsibility for the mistakes that led to my suspension for the 2014 season. I regret that my actions made the situation worse than it needed to be. To Major League Baseball, the Yankees, the Steinbrenner family, the players association and you, the fans, I can only say, 'I'm sorry,'" Rodriguez wrote. "I accept the fact that many of you will not believe my apology or anything that I say at this point. I understand why, and that's on me."

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Rodriguez was suspended from the New York Yankees for the 2014 season, but he still has three years and $61 million on his contract.