“Let’s go do the same thing”, Yankees manager Joe Girardi told reporters, referencing players such as Rivera (652 saves, most in history), Derek Jeter and Bernie Williams that were among the honorees Saturday. He has moved to a advisory position with the Yankees Organization. As closer Dellin Betances trotted out from the bullpen to protect a 6-3 lead, Rodriguez – who had gone 1 for 4 with an RBI double as the DH – ran out to the familiar third base position he had called home for almost a decade.
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The ceremony began with a short video tribute of his career highlights as Reggie Jackson, Mariano Rivera, owner Hal Steinbrenner and his mother and daughters joined him on the field. Well, that’s if you don’t count the thunder that cracked when his name was announced during a pre-game ceremony. Longoria managed a two hit day, KK had the aforementioned bunt single, and Duffman notched a single, but the 6-7-8-9-1 slots went hitless on the day. The controversial slugger has likely played in his final major league game.
Only once before had two players homered in the first at-bat of their debuts in the same game, and they were on opposing teams: Brooklyn’s Earnie Koy and the Phillies’ Heinie Mueller in the first inning at Philadelphia’s Baker Bowl on April 19, 1938.
Girardi refused to play him in all three games at Fenway Park, his final road trip, and A-Rod admitted his relationship with the manager had been “awkward and difficult” of late.
The YES network, who handles Yankees baseball in NY picked up something.
“If this is the last time he plays, I wanted it to be something that would never be forgotten for him”, Girardi said, sobbing with emotion.
On Friday, despite his stated desire to play third base one last time, Rodriguez was in the lineup as the designated hitter. Alex won a lot of games while he was here and damn, he was entertaining.
“I’m honestly just trying to keep getting more consistent and not give away at-bats”, he said. “But afterwards he did say this”.
In New York, rookie Ryan Schimpf hit a grand slam and added a two-run shot in San Diego’s victory over the Mets.
“I know sometimes I backed him and people thought, ‘What are you doing?’ ” Girardi said. In closing A-Rod was a great player he has learned a lesson about the drug use he did. Don’t be surprised if this crop of news Yankees make as much of an impact as the Yankee teams that won three straight World Series between 1998 thru 2000 and four in five years. But it’s how you choose to comeback from them is how you know you’re future is going to turn out.
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Nor should we have been surprised when the Stadium crowd greeted Rodriguez with what I would term polite applause that was not neither extended or thunderous. His friendship with Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria has fueled speculation that the Marlins could be a landing spot for Rodriguez, who is four home runs away from reaching 700 for his career. “He got the moment he deserved and I was really happy for him”.
