Alex Rodriguez mocked by Spirit Airline ad campaign

Spirit Airlines, an ultra-low cost carrier, has a history of cheeky and controversial ad campaigns.

New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez, and baseball's highest paid player, is not off limits.

A-Rod, who was linked in a report to a Miami clinic that was supplying athletes performance-enhancing drugs, was mocked in this week's ad campaign.

In the first of two rotating advertisements on Spirit's web site, it read: "Improve your travel performance! with our PEDs!," A woman in a bikini is featured holding a baseball bat. On the nub of it is the number 13 -- A-Rod's jersey number.

The second ad is even less ambiguous: "Improve your travel performance! with our PEDs! You'll have A-Rodiculously great time!

A-Rod has been the butt of many jokes throughout baseball. It's now been extended to the friendly skies.

Two weeks ago, the airline took a shot at Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te'o's girlfriend hoax story.

Of course, the joke may be on the traveler. While Spirit offers low fares, they're also known for blindsiding travelers with hidden fees. The airline charges $35 to book your flight online, $30 for your first carry-on item and $100 if you didn't think to pay this innovative carry-on fee before arriving at the gate.

Such blatant consumer deception makes baseball's steroid era almost quaint. And, much like baseball's PED problem, members of Congress threatened to act against airlines. And then did nothing.

H/T to Big League Stew