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Saturday afternoon at Yankee Stadium, the New York Yankees held their 76th annual Previous Timers’ Day, which doubled as a fifteenth anniversary celebration of their 2009 World Collection championship workforce. A number of 2009 Yankees, together with CC Sabathia, made their Previous Timers’ Day debut. So too did Alex Rodriguez, who final performed in 2016.
A-Rod obtained a fairly large hand from the Yankee Stadium crowd when he was launched:
“I used to be really stunned that I obtained an invite. Honored and really pleased. I clearly informed my daughters proper away, and it is a fantastic thrill,” A-Rod mentioned about his Previous Timers’ Day debut (via the New York Daily News). “… It is good to be again within the fold. I am excited to be again. I am very pleased with my time in New York, and I am very pleased with being a part of a championship workforce. So pleased to be again.”
A-Rod’s time with the Yankees was difficult, to say the least. Undeniably a fantastic participant — Rodriguez is high 10 in Yankees historical past in house runs, WAR, and so forth. — he additionally served a yearlong performance-enhancing drug suspension in 2014, and threatened to sue MLB, the Yankees, and their workforce physician as a part of the enchantment course of. The litigation was later dropped.
The Yankees don’t win the 2009 World Collection with out Rodriguez, who hit .365/.500/.808 with six house runs and 18 RBI in 15 video games that postseason. A-Rod was not named ALCS MVP (that was Sabathia) or World Collection MVP (Hideki Matsui), however he was New York’s greatest participant that October. Celebrating the 2009 World Collection with out him would have been form of foolish.
Rodriguez has been to Yankee Stadium as a broadcaster for ESPN and Fox a number of instances over time, however Saturday was his first time again in a ceremonial capability with the Bombers. To some extent, the fences are being mended. Might that result in Rodriguez sooner or later being inducted in Monument Park? That is as much as Yankees brass. He mentioned it will be an honor although.
“I’ve considered it,” Rodriguez mentioned about the opportunity of Monument Park (via the New York Daily News). “I might like to be in, however clearly, that is not my resolution. I honor every part concerning the New York Yankees, and it will be an honor.”
A number of Yankees Previous Timers, together with David Cone and Lou Piniella (A-Rod’s first MLB supervisor with the Seattle Mariners), mentioned Rodriguez belongs in Monument Park. Others ducked the query, together with Sabathia, Derek Jeter, and Jorge Posada. “I do not make these selections, man,” Jeter mentioned (via the New York Daily News).
A-Rod wouldn’t be the one individual in Monument Park with a sophisticated historical past with the Yankees. Billy Martin, for instance, had 5 stints as Yankees supervisor and as soon as mentioned Reggie Jackson and George Steinbrenner deserved one another as a result of “one’s a born liar, the other’s convicted.” That prompted his resignation in 1978. Martin’s No. 1 was retired in 1986.
The Yankees may honor A-Rod in Monument Park with out retiring No. 13. Goose Gossage, Tino Martinez, Willie Randolph, and others have plaques in Monument Park however haven’t had their numbers retired by the Yankees. It would not should occur immediately both. Paul O’Neill final performed in 2001. His plaque was devoted in 2014, and his No. 21 was retired in 2022.
The Monument Park resolution can be made by chairman Hal Steinbrenner and different high-level executives. For now, A-Rod made his first Previous Timers’ Day look with the Yankees on Saturday, probably opening the door for him to be acknowledged by the group in a extra long-lasting capability.
