Alex Rodriguez finally found a place where he doesn’t get booed.
The embattled third baseman arrived at Major League Baseball headquarters at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday to a hero’s welcome from supporters camped outside the building as Rodriguez’s appeal of his 211-game suspension continued in front of an arbitrator.
But that reception paled in comparison to the one Rodriguez received when he left eight hours later, as people rushed up to him on the sidewalk seeking autographs and pictures, with one elderly woman embracing Rodriguez before he got into his waiting SUV.
When asked how the hearing went, Rodriguez would only say, “Good, good,” as he signed autographs for 10 minutes, refusing to answer further questions from reporters.
His attorney, Joe Tacopina, said the same when approached by reporters, noting the information disclosed during the hearing was confidential.
The chaotic scene in front of 245 Park Avenue capped a bizarre afternoon, as well over 100 people stood on the sidewalk and on the street all day.
They waved flags from several Latin American countries and occasionally broke into chants and songs including, “Alex, our hero, the people are with you” in Spanish, as bemused and bewildered pedestrians walked by.
The throng included Fernando Mateo, the president of Hispanics Across America, who was back in action after he accused MLB security of assaulting him and tossing coffee on him on Tuesday.
“What happened [Tuesday] was very, very unnecessary,” said Mateo, sporting a neck brace and complaining of muscle spasms. “I think the security that Major League Baseball had here needs anger management classes.”
Mateo’s attorney, Sanford Rubenstein, said he filed a complaint with the police and his client is cooperating with authorities.
“We await the result of the police investigation with regards to this incident and with regards to criminal charges,” Rubenstein said.
Mateo said his group was there not only in support of Rodriguez, but because of what he called of a lack of accountability on the part of MLB.
“We’re sending a clear message to Major League Baseball that Latin American kids are dying every day doing steroids,” Mateo said. “They know about it and have done nothing.”
He also attacked the Yankees and MLB commissioner Bud Selig.
“We’re not going to allow them to suspend Alex Rodriguez 211 games, take his head and put it in the living room of Bud Selig’s apartment so that he can use it as a trophy as he goes out [in retirement],” Mateo said. “The punishment does not fit the crime.”
When asked how he knew that was the case without being familiar with the evidence MLB has against Rodriguez, Mateo said, “Common sense.”
Rodriguez has vowed to attend the hearings each day, saying last week he was “fighting for my life.”