TAMPA – They are New York rivals, but Yankees superstar Alex Rodriguez and Mets counterpart David Wright have formed a budding friendship.
Think of the two third basemen as this era’s Willie Mays and Mickey Mantle, two players who are the center of attention in New York. The relationship began to blossom less than a month ago at the Thurman Munson Dinner.
“David is like the American Dream,” Rodriguez said yesterday at Legends Field. “He carries himself with the dignity of someone who loves the game and respects the game.”
If A-Rod ever has a son, he said he would want him to emulate Wright and Derek Jeter.
“For what Alex has done in the game and the player that he is, any young player in the game can look to him and try to mold their game after what he does, and especially being in New York,” Wright said.
Wright says he plans to pick up all the tips he can from A-Rod. Rodriguez has taken Yankees centerfielder Melky Cabrera under his wing and is a big believer in helping young players, passing the baseball torch.
“I was pleasantly surprised that he was so open,” Wright said. “He made a bee-line to me as soon as he got there that night. He told me I had a great year last year, that he enjoys watching me play, gave me his cell number, said if I ever need anything let him know.
“His willingness to share, he went out of his way to give me some workout hints, to talk to me a little bit about hitting. Guys don’t have to do that, talk to me about hitting or what he does in the offseason. He’s a guy that everybody can take a little bit from his game and try to apply it to their own game.
“That’s how young players become better players, by talking to the best.”
So, what can A-Rod learn from Wright?
“He’s a lot cooler than me,” a smiling Rodriguez said. “I can learn how to be a little bit cooler. David is very cool and I’m just not cool at all – we can start there.”
He may not be cool, but A-Rod has the hottest bat in the game. Rodriguez has won the AL MVP award every other year since 2003 and ran away with it last season, crushing 54 home runs, driving in 156 runs and batting .314. He owns 518 home runs and is only 32.
Someday, A-Rod and Wright could both be MVPs.
“I wouldn’t even begin to put myself in the class of Alex Rodriguez, you’re talking about a guy, when it’s all said and done, could be the greatest all-around player ever,” Wright said. “Just to even be mentioned in the same sentence with him is pretty special. After he signed the new deal with the Yankees, I said now I’ll always be the second best third baseman in New York.”
Wright is fascinated by Rodriguez’s workout routine and plans to visit with him next winter to learn more.
“He does a lot of explosive stuff,” Wright said. “He does a lot of things that football players do. And it makes sense. Why would you train your muscles to go run a marathon? If you think about it, the most you are ever going to run is 30 yards at a time, 30-yard bursts, explosiveness.”
Said Rodriguez, “I would love to spend time with him in the offseason, who wouldn’t want to spend time with a great player and a great person. His game is so impressive. There’s so many ways he can beat you, speed, he stole over 30 bags last season, he hits for power, average, his on-base percentage was .400.”
Wright’s on-base percentage of .416 was six points below A-Rod’s.
“I understand how hard the game is and how easy he makes it look,” Wright said. “Fans don’t understand that it’s not that easy. To be the best player you can be you want to take any pointers that you can possibly take to learn from a guy like that to see what makes him so good.”
Sounds like the beginning of a beautiful baseball relationship.