Rodriguez likes ring of new reputation

Now that Alex Rodriguez has his first championship, Brian Cashman says A-Rod can just play to further his own legend.

“I think the rest of his career now he can just write history,” Cashman said after last night’s World Series championship. “He doesn’t have anything that he has to answer for anymore. He obviously has to produce, there’s no doubt about that. But he doesn’t have to be told he can’t do anything. He’s done everything now.

“And so now, he can sit back, and his work ethic and his play will take him just wherever it’ll take him.”

Rodriguez’s seasons had always ended too early. He never took home the championship. He never even came close with the Yankees. This postseason, however, ended far differently.

Rodriguez arguably was the Yankees’ playoff MVP, a blazing star during their remarkable run. Rodriguez bashed the Twins, Angels and Phillies in the greatest postseason of his superstar career to earn his first ring, the hardware finally coming at age 34 in his 16th season with his third team.

“It’s been a long time,” he said.

Next year at the Yankees’ home opener, Rodriguez will be able to get his ring. He more than earned it.

“Perhaps the greatest player of our generation, he deserves to have a ring,” Johnny Damon said.

Asked if he felt his career was now complete, Rodriguez said, “I feel so proud and that’s up to you guys. I’m not the judge or the jury. I’m just happy to be part of a team and contribute.”

Rodriguez capped off the Yankees’ title last night by reaching base three more times on a single and two walks while stealing a base and scoring two runs. For the postseason, he batted a robust .365 (19-for-52) with six homers and a franchise-record 18 RBIs. Think they were meaningless RBIs? Not quite. Eight of them tied a game or gave the Yankees the lead.

Everyone knows how Rodriguez’s year has gone — a steroid revelation/admission in spring training and a hip surgery that forced him out for the season’s first month.

“Yeah, look, a lot of people running the other way,” he said. “And my teammates and coaches and organization stood right next to me, and now we stand together as world champs and I couldn’t be prouder or happier.”

Added Reggie Jackson, “No more questions asked. World champion. He was involved and helped us win.”

Additional reporting by Brian Costello