FILE - In this Sept. 14, 2013, file photo, New York Yankees' Alex Rodriguez heads to the dugout during their 5-1 loss to the Boston Red Sox in a baseball game at Fenway Park in Boston. The U.S. government says New York Yankees star Alex Rodriguez paid his cousin almost $1 million to keep secret Rodriguez's use of performance enhancing drugs. In court documents filed last week in Miami, federal prosecutors say Rodriguez paid $900,000 last year to settle a threatened lawsuit by Yuri Sucart, who had worked as Rodriguez's personal assistant. Sucart, in a letter from his lawyer, threatened to expose Rodriquez's PED use if he wasn't paid $5 million.(AP Photo/Winslow Townson, File)
FILE - In this Sept. 14, 2013, file photo, New York Yankees' Alex Rodriguez heads to the dugout during their 5-1 loss to the Boston Red Sox in a baseball game at Fenway Park in Boston. The U.S. government says New York Yankees star Alex Rodriguez paid his cousin almost $1 million to keep secret Rodriguez's use of performance enhancing drugs. In court documents filed last week in Miami, federal prosecutors say Rodriguez paid $900,000 last year to settle a threatened lawsuit by Yuri Sucart, who had worked as Rodriguez's personal assistant. Sucart, in a letter from his lawyer, threatened to expose Rodriquez's PED use if he wasn't paid $5 million.(AP Photo/Winslow Townson, File)
FILE – In this Sept. 14, 2013, file photo, New York Yankees’ Alex Rodriguez heads to the dugout during their 5-1 loss to the Boston Red Sox in a baseball game at Fenway Park in Boston. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson, File)

George A. King III, NEW YORK POST

TORONTO (New York Post) — With the Yankees setting aside Sept. 13 at Yankee Stadium to celebrate Alex Rodriguez reaching the coveted 3,000 hit mark earlier this season, it would be nice if the designated hitter repaid the club with a few hits.

“I think it’s amazing, truly classy by the Steinbrenners and the Yankees’ organization,’’ Rodriguez said before going 1-for-5 in Friday night’s 4-3 victory over the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre that vaulted the Yankees back into first place in the AL East.

That the Yankees are celebrating Rodriguez’s 3,000 hit shows how far the sides have come. Rodriguez sued the Yankees and the team doctor at the height of the Biogenesis mess that resulted in a year’s suspension for him.

Then, the Yankees initially balked at paying him a $6 million milestone bonus for tying Willie Mays on the all-time home run list earlier this season.

“I never thought a year ago that I would be getting any ceremony,’’ said Rodriguez, who homered off the Tigers’ Justin Verlander on June 19 at Yankee Stadium for his 3,000th hit. “There was a thought that I was never going to play baseball again. To celebrate at home I am honored and flattered.’’

READ MORE

###

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *