TAMPA — Alex Rodriguez was at George M. Steinbrenner Field yesterday for a physical in preparation for the World Series champion Yankees’ first full-squad workout today.
Judging by the way he avoided touchy topics, it appears the third baseman is committed to another year of not saying anything dumb.
Walking in the tunnel toward his car, Rodriguez was asked if he was disappointed that friend Johnny Damon didn’t return to the Yanks.
After thinking about his response, Rodriguez said, “How was your winter?” with a smile.
Asked if he thought there was a deal to be made between the Yankees and Damon, Rodriguez said, “Don’t be stirring it up on the first day. I really don’t have anything to say.”
Prior to today’s workout, Derek Jeter, who exchanged a hug and handshake with Rodriguez yesterday, will hold court and explain his feelings on the Yankees waiting until after the season to negotiate a new contract. Tomorrow, Rodriguez gets his turn in the barrel, although there is no contract issue with him.
When Brian Cashman heard Rodriguez was carrying over his “Think Before Talking” program from a year ago, the GM displayed an approving grin.
“He has focused on the game for a while and knows the game will make your name,” Cashman said. “Last year he stuck to it.”
Of course, there were never more questions hovering above Rodriguez’s head than last year.
Shortly before spring training opened, he was outed as a steroid user when a failed 2003 test was leaked. He admitted it, but continued to bring cousin Yuri Sucart, who Rodriguez said joined him in steroid use during his Texas days, around MLB facilities, and got his hand slapped for it.
While preparing for the World Baseball Classic with the Dominican Republic team, Rodriguez foolishly said he would like to have Jose Reyes hit leadoff for the Yankees, forgetting that Jeter plays the same position as Reyes. Then he underwent hip surgery that forced him to miss the first 28 games of the season.
“There was a lot of crisis that took place in his life,” Cashman said.
Rodriguez emerged from the steroid scandal and operation with his feet nowhere near his mouth, and it worked wonderfully. In 124 games — his fewest since 1999, when he played 129 games for the Mariners — Rodriguez hit .286 with 30 homers and 100 RBIs. It was the 12th straight season he reached triple-digit RBI totals.
Rodriguez’ 30 homers moved him into eighth on the all-time list at 583. Frank Robinson is next at 586.
Yet, the biggest accomplishment was putting the first World Series ring on a Hall of Fame resume. And he did more than go for the ride. A-Rod batted .365 (19-for-52) with six homers and 18 RBIs in the postseason, shedding the unsavory tag of gagging in October.
As for what Jeter says today, don’t get the 150-point headline type ready just yet. Jeter didn’t invent saying the right thing every time, but he may have perfected it.
Expect him to point to having a contract ($21 million) for this season, and saying these things have a way of working themselves out. And since being a Yankee is all he knows, and since he loves everything about it, Jeter will say he hopes he can stay in pinstripes.
“You look at Derek, and he has handled everything with grace and professionalism, and I don’t expect him to handle this any different,” said manager Joe Girardi.
“I am not sure what you think about more, Lou Gehrig’s [Yankees hit] record or your contract [or] playing in the World Series. He handles everything pretty well.”