A-Rod issues hand-written apology letter to fans (PHOTOS)

Alex Rodriguez released a hand-written letter apologizing to fans Tuesday, in which he says he takes “full responsibility for the mistakes” that led to his yearlong drug ban.

The disgraced slugger goes on to say he regrets his attitude towards Major League Baseball and his Yankees bosses, though he said he would decline their invitation to use Yankee Stadium for an apology press conference.

“I accept the fact that many of you will not believe my apology or anything that I say at this point,” A-Rod wrote. “I understand why and that’s on me.”

As in the statement released following his meeting with Yankees honchos last week, Rodriguez offers no specifics about the misdeeds for which he feels compelled to apologize.

Rodriguez concludes the letter by expressing the desire to move on from his latest controversy, writing: “I will do everything I can to be the best player and teammate possible, earn a spot on the Yankees and help us win.”

Here is the full two-page letter:

A-Rod considering Derek Jeter's 'The Players' Tribune' for apology: Report

He's reportedly been offered the House That Jeter Built to hold a pre-spring training press conference to address the public about performance-enhancing drug use but, now it sounds like Alex Rodriguez might be considering using the Website That Jeter Built instead.

Even if the rumors about using Yankee Stadium as a public forum are true, Rodriguez is now mulling the possibility of using Derek Jeter's "The Players' Tribune" website as a medium for his long-awaited mea culpa, according to the New York Daily News. 

The disgraced slugger and the former Yankees captain might be the yin and yang of baseball now but, were, early in their careers, the best of buddies. And Jeter's website, which publishes first-person accounts from athletes, has shown it isn't adverse to a little controversy and publicity. 

If Rodriguez were to turn to "The Players' Tribune," he would be able to publish whatever he'd like to say to fans — whatever it may be. But, with the Yankees' spring training in Tampa just days away, A-Rod would probably still be surrounded by hordes of reporters in Florida — something the team is desperately trying to avoid.

Whether or not the Yankees would agree to Rodriguez explaining his actions via the Internet remains to be seen. Even if it was up to Jeter — the team's former golden boy.

And would an impersonal website confession be enough to keep the media at bay — and away from George H. Steinbrenner Field? It's doubtful.

Rodriguez is still owed $61 million over the next three seasons. He lost $25 million with his 162-game suspension last season. He has accused the Yankees and MLB of conspiring to try to void his contract.

Yankees offer A-Rod Yankee Stadium as forum for apology: Report

It definitely won't go down in the annals of treasured baseball moments in The Bronx but, the New York Yankees have told Alex Rodriguez he can issue his public apology at Yankee Stadium instead of at the organization's spring training home of Tampa, Fla.

In order to avoid the media crush that is sure to surround A-Rod if and when the disgraced slugger delivers an apology prior to rejoining the Yankees, after his season-long drug suspension, the Yankees hope they can turn a three-ring circus into a pony ride by having Rodriguez give the public mea culpa in New York before the team meets in Tampa, according to the New York Daily News.

The 39-year-old Rodriguez met with the Yankees in The Bronx Tuesday and apologized for his actions over the last few years. They included earning a 162-game suspension for performance-enhancing drug use; denying using PEDs but then reportedly admitting to federal officials he did use them; and also suing MLB while also alleging the league and the Yankees conspired to void his contract.

Rodriguez has not yet responded to the team's Yankee Stadium offer, said a source.

“He owes it to the Yankees fans who are paying money to see him play next year to explain himself,” one baseball official told The News. “They deserve an explanation.”

The Yankees are expecting Rodriguez to make his return at spring training. He's owed at least $61 million over the next three seasons. It's still unclear whether Rodriguez will have a defined role with the team because the team signed Chase Headley as its starting third baseman this offseason to a four-year pact. 

If A-Rod agrees to the reported apology deal, you know somewhere Lou Gehrig will be rolling in his grave.