After 17 months of lawsuits, tabloid bombshells, juicy back-page stories and speculation, it’s finally time for Alex Rodriguez to play baseball.
On Wednesday, all eyes will be on George M. Steinbrenner Field.
Rodriguez is slated to serve as the designated hitter against Kevin Slowey of the Phillies. It will be Rodriguez’s first look at live game pitching since Sept. 25, 2013.
We’ve never seen a scenario like this before. A once immortal talent approaching age 40, with two hip surgeries under his belt, coming off a year-long suspension. There’s no precedent for this. No barometer on how he’ll do. We’ll just have to see for ourselves what A-Rod has left.
The Yankees would love to cut all ties with Rodriguez, but his $61M price tag stands in the way. It’s not like the Yankees have a modern day murderers row for a lineup, either, which would make A-Rod disposable. They NEED him, which makes all of this even more fascinating.
When MLB handed down it’s suspension last winter, many thought A-Rod would never wear a Yankee uniform again. Now, he’ll be front and center, wearing the home pinstripes; a tradition for the first spring training game at home.
According to Bryan Hoch of Yankees.com, A-Rod is ready for what’s to come.
“I’ll be a little nervous, for sure,” Rodriguez said. “I haven’t been in front of our fans for a long time. I’m excited about that. I have some challenges ahead.”
