Alex Rodriguez News: Pro Sports Daily

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March 16

New York Post

"If federal investigators used Alex Rodriguez's two-day break from spring training to talk to him about a relationship with Dr. Anthony Galea, they did it in Miami, where Rodriguez spent Sunday and yesterday. Manager Joe Girardi gave Rodriguez (and Mariano Rivera and Jorge Posada) Sunday off. And yesterday was dark on the Yankees' schedule. Rodriguez said "this is about someone else," but it was surgery on his right hip last spring that led him to Galea, who admitted he treated the Yankees' third baseman with anti-inflammatory drugs. The Yankees and Dr. Marc Philippon, who performed the hip surgery, didn't give Rodriguez permission to be treated by Galea, who is an admitted HGH user and had ..."

Alex Rodriguez needs to answer why he had to see Dr. Galea for anti-inflammatory drugs

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March 14

New York Daily News

columnist Mike Lupica

"Here is the question that Alex Rodriguez will eventually have to answer, for the feds, for the Yankees, for Major League Baseball. It doesn't have to be the first question he is asked, but it is still one that requires not just an answer, but a straight one: Why exactly did you need to go to a Canadian doctorÂ one who can't practice medicine in New York to get anti-inflammatory drugs for a hip that may or may not have been "inflamed" at the time? I don't mean to be a cynic or skeptic with the Yankee third baseman, but are we supposed to believe he couldn't get anti-inflammatory pills at Columbia-Presbyterian, a few minutes from Yankee Stadium? He couldn't get anti-inflammatory pills from ..."

A-Rod's attorneys working to set up meeting with investigators regarding Galea

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March 11

The Journal News

"Alex Rodriguez said Wednesday that his attorneys are in "healthy" discussions with federal authorities regarding a time for him to meet with investigators looking into tainted Canadian doctor Anthony Galea. In a short interview with reporters, Rodriguez said he anticipates knowing something about a date and time "sooner than later" but continued to maintain that he is not concerned about the situation. "We have a good, healthy attitude about this, so we're going to tackle it," Rodriguez said. "The key thing to remember is that this is an investigation about someone else. I'm here to cooperate." Rodriguez, who last spring admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs earlier in his career, ..."

Alex Rodriguez, feds work on scheduling meeting

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March 11

Bergen Record

"Lawyers for Alex Rodriguez are working toward getting the slugger together with federal investigators seeking information on a Canadian doctor suspected of distribution of human growth hormone. "My attorneys are working with authorities right now on scheduling issues," A-Rod said Wednesday morning at Yankees camp. "And I intend to cooperate in this matter.' A-Rod would not answer specific questions about Dr. Tony Galea, who told The Associated Press that he treated Rodriguez with anti-inflammatory medication, not HGH, following A-Rod's hip surgery 12 months ago. Rodriguez did not know where or when federal investigators would meet with him. "I'm hoping that it's here," Rodriguez said. "The ..."

A-Rod reps discuss dubious doc

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March 11

New York Post

"Just because Alex Rodriguez's lawyer huddled with the Feds yesterday and he continues to believe the investigation is about Dr. Anthony Galea, that doesn't mean the fog surrounding his involvement with the Toronto doctor has lifted. After a week of saying there was nothing new, Rodriguez said yesterday his mouthpieces were talking to the Feds. "My attorneys are working with the authorities as we speak about scheduling issues," Rodriguez said before a morning workout at George M. Steinbrenner Field. "I intend to cooperate." After the workout Rodriguez said he hadn't been updated by his lawyers about a date or location. The Yankees are off on Monday. "We don't know if it's going to be up ..."

Yankees star Alex Rodriguez says meeting with feds coming soon

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March 10

Newark Star-Ledger

"As Alex Rodriguez briefed reporters on Wednesday morning about his upcoming interview with federal investigators, the cell phone sitting on the top shelf of his locker buzzed. "Is that them?" an observer asked. Rodriguez, who has maintained that he's at peace with the matter, let out a laugh. Not them. Still, he expects for his meeting with federal agents investigating a controversial doctor suspected of breaking anti-doping laws to take place soon. "I think sooner rather than later," said Rodriguez, whose attorneys have been working over the last few days to schedule a sit down. "I don't want to say exactly when but they're having healthy talks and we're going to address this." Rodriguez ..."

Tight-lipped A-Rod gives skeptics something to talk about

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March 10

New York Post

"Alex Rodriguez refused to get into how Dr. Anthony Galea treated him and with what drugs while he was recovering from last spring's hip surgery, which leaves the feeling that Rodriguez and the doctor have something to hide. Monday, the Canadian doctor admitted he treated Rodriguez with anti-inflammatory medication while the Yankees' cleanup hitter was recovering from hip surgery. Even if Galea, who has admitted using human growth hormone, is telling the truth, there are a lot of questions to be answered. Before yesterday's 12-7 loss to the Pirates at George M. Steinbrenner Field, in which Rodriguez went 0-for-2, Rodriguez did nothing to help clear the fog that has been getting thicker ..."

Alex's close again with old pal Jeter

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March 9

New York Post

columnist Kevin Kernan

"The bond of winning a championship together has created a tighter bond between Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter. They drove here together yesterday from Tampa for the Yankees' split-squad 6-0 win over the Pirates. And they left together. Before the game they played catch and long toss together, ran together in the outfield and even walked into the clubhouse together along the right-field line at 12:01 after they were done with their early work while a group of Yankees were still taking batting practice. "They've definitely grown closer," one Yankee official told me. They are laughing and joking together more, and during Sunday's workout in Tampa they spent a lot of time talking in short ..."

Alex Rodriguez's silence is a prescription for trouble

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March 9

New York Daily News

"Carlos Beltran and Jose Reyes admit that they were treated by Tony Galea, the Canadian doctor now being investigated by authorities in both Canada and the United States. One of the reasons that Galea is being investigated is because one of his assistants got stopped by border police in Buffalo last fall with human growth hormone and another drug that can't be legally sold in this country, Actovegin, in her possession. Before they searched the woman's Nissan, the border police asked what she was bringing into the U.S. She said, "Medical supplies." To paraphrase a rather famous line from Alex Rodriguez, Dr. Galea's assistant wasn't bringing tic tacs. Up to now, Rodriguez hasn't said a public ..."

Doctor in Drug Inquiry Says He Treated Rodriguez

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March 9

New York Times

"A Toronto-based doctor under investigation for possibly distributing performance-enhancing drugs in the United States told The Associated Press on Monday that he treated Alex Rodriguez for an inflamed hip last year. If the doctor's statement is true, Rodriguez could be in violation of his contract with the Yankees because the team said in a statement last week that it never authorized Rodriguez to be treated by the doctor, Anthony Galea. At the same time, Marc J. Philippon, the team-authorized doctor who performed hip surgery on Rodriguez last March, told The New York Times on Monday that he never gave approval for Galea to treat Rodriguez's hip with anti-inflammatory drugs and did not ..."

Dark cloud still hovers over A-Rod

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March 9

New York Post

"Dr. Anthony Galea's admission yesterday that he gave Alex Rodriguez anti-inflammatory medication -- but not human growth hormone -- raised more questions than it answered. If Galea, who is under investigation in Canada and the United States, is telling the truth and didn't give Rodriguez performance-enhancing drugs, Major League Baseball and the Yankees have several questions to ask Galea and Rodriguez after the feds complete their investigation of the relationship between the doctor and Yankees' cleanup hitter. When the news broke last week that the feds wanted to talk to Rodriguez about Galea, the Yankees distanced themselves from Galea by saying they never authorized Rodriguez to be ..."

New York Yankees president Randy Levine says they are A-OK with Alex Rodriguez after FBI meeting

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March 6

New York Daily News

"There is no team campaign against Alex Rodriguez, the Bombers said Friday. Yankees president Randy Levine insisted through a team spokesman Friday that, "Nobody in this organization is mad at Alex." Pinstriped brass otherwise didn't have a lot to say about a report in Friday's Daily News. That report quoted a TV industry source as saying team officials were angered that A-Rod hadn't immediately informed them he'd been contacted by the FBI, which wants to question him in its investigation of Dr. Anthony Galea. In response to assertions that the organization also backed the YES Network's decision to highlight Rodriguez's most recent controversy during Wednesday's telecast of the ..."

A-Rod keeps low-key as MLB ramps up plan for blood tests

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March 5

New York Daily News

"Even as Major League Baseball's biggest star remained silent about his possible relationship with a Toronto human growth hormone doctor, the league's bosses reiterated their commitment to incorporate a blood test for HGH into their anti-doping program. A Yankee source told the Daily News Thursday that the federal agents investigating Tony Galea have still not scheduled an interview with Alex Rodriguez. "He's of the belief that, â€˜Either they are going to talk to me, or they aren't,'" said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity. A-Rod made a brief statement about the investigation in Tampa but otherwise declined to discuss it. "Nothing new, for a few days," Rodriguez said. Federal ..."

Doc probe still hovers over A-Rod

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March 4

New York Post

"Alex Rodriguez had nothing to report about him talking to the feds concerning Dr. Anthony Galea. "Nothing new," Rodriguez said when asked if he had talked or had a date to talk to the feds, who are investigating the Canadian doctor who was arrested for supplying drugs. Rodriguez, who has been contacted by the feds and said he will discuss his connection to Galea, was in yesterday's starting lineup against the Pirates and went 1-for-2 with a strikeout. Though Rodriguez and the Yankees believe this is more about Galea than it is him, if Galea treated Rodriguez without the Yankees' permission -- something they didn't give -- the team could discipline their third baseman. MLB also is ..."

Rodriguez's Return to Field Clouded by Questions Off It

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March 4

New York Times

"A few minutes before the Yankees' first spring training game Wednesday, their starting lineup was introduced at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Fla. Derek Jeter came first, followed by Curtis Granderson and Mark Teixeira. Then came Alex Rodriguez. When his name was announced over the loudspeaker, he ran out of the dugout and received a rousing ovation from a stadium full of happy Yankee fans. Five innings later, Rodriguez led off with a line-drive single that was the Yankees' first hit of spring training. He left the game at the end of the inning, and the Yankees went on to beat Pittsburgh, 6-3."

Feds waiting to talk to A-Rod about Canadian doc

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March 3

New York Post

"According to a person with knowledge of the situation, federal investigators have a list of 20 to 25 major league players they want to talk to about their relationship with Dr. Tony Galea. On Monday, Alex Rodriguez confirmed they want to talk to him. Agents have already spoken to Jose Reyes, and yesterday fellow Met Carlos Beltran's name surfaced in reports they are going to interview him. Many believe the Feds' interest in the players is to see if Galea treated them, and if he did, how. "It doesn't appear to more than that, but you never know," a source said."

Alex Rodriguez's steroid stain will last forever

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March 2

Bergen Record

columnist Ian O'Connor

"Over a span of 61 seconds at Alex Rodriguez's locker, the most turbulent 61 seconds of a downright sleepy Yankee spring, the third baseman managed to declare three times that the performance-enhancing police are banging on another suspect's door. "This is about someone else," A-Rod kept saying. Yes and no. Federal agents are indeed investigating a Canadian doctor named Tony Galea, a human growth hormone advocate arrested on drug charges in October, when Rodriguez was busy erasing his record as a choker, if not his record as a cheat. The same people who questioned Jose Reyes about Galea's treatment of his hamstring want to question A-Rod about Galea and, perhaps, a Galea associate, Mark ..."

Rodriguez will be questioned by feds

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March 2

The Journal News

"Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez will be interviewed as part of a federal investigation into Dr. Tony Galea, a Canadian doctor who has been linked to performance enhancing drugs, including human growth hormone. "I'm aware of an investigation and I plan on cooperating," Rodriguez said. Mets shortstop Jose Reyes has already been interviewed. Rodriguez said he is not certain when he will talk to investigators and would not discuss what, if any, relationship he has with Dr. Galea. The only known connection is that Dr. Mark Lindsay, who worked with Rodriguez while he was recovering from hip surgery last year, is an associate of Galea. "I can't really get into that," Rodriguez said. "I know ..."

Lightning-Rod still attracts controversy

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March 2

New York Post

columnist Kevin Kernan

"Alex Rodriguez was whistling yesterday as he pulled on his baseball pants. He then went out and launched bombs during batting practice, and did all his hitting and fielding work with a sweat and a smile. Another day, another distraction, this time a federal investigation into Canadian doctor Tony Galea, who has been accused of selling an unapproved drug. "I'm aware of an investigation and I plan on cooperating," Rodriguez calmly told reporters at the end of his workday. Asked if he had been contacted by investigators he answered, "yes." Unlike last year, when the Yankees' slugging third baseman was in the center of the steroid storm, A-Rod said this is a bit different: "This is about ..."

Alex Rodriguez to meet with feds over 'HGH' doc ties

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March 2

New York Post

"Alex Rodriguez says he isn't concerned that the feds wanting to talk to him about Dr. Tony Galea will develop into a distraction for him and the defending World Series champion Yankees. At the same time, the Yankees quickly distanced themselves from any involvement with Galea, a Canadian who was arrested in Toronto in October and charged with smuggling HGH and Actovegin into the U.S. His lawyer, Brian H. Greenspan, has said his client denies any wrongdoing. Rodriguez acknowledged yesterday the feds have contacted him and that he plans to talk to them about his relationship with Galea. But he refused to comment about his relationship with Galea, saying, "I can't get into it." He did say, ..."

When A-Rod talks to investigators about Tony Galea, New York Yankee better ditch the script

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March 2

New York Daily News

"A year ago, when Alex Rodriguez was in the barrel about his steroid use, he faced the media with a prepared script and got by with it. Eight months later, he was riding through the Canyon of Heroes as a postseason hero and a Yankees champion and nobody remembered what he said in spring training, other than how choked up the poor guy was. Now Rodriguez is going to talk to the feds about a Canadian doctor, Tony Galea, who is under investigation for drug violations, one that involves transporting performance-enhancing drugs across the border. "[The interview with the feds] is about someone else," Rodriguez said Monday, and fair enough."

Major League Baseball likely to skip talk with A-Rod about doctor Tony Galea

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March 2

New York Daily News

"Alex Rodriguez will talk to the feds this week about his relationship with embattled sports doctor Tony Galea, but it is unlikely that A-Rod - or Jose Reyes and Carlos Delgado - will have a sit-down with MLB investigators about the Canadian physician anytime soon. Rodriguez was interviewed by MLB's Department of Investigations and Labor Relations in Tampa last year after he acknowledged using performance-enhancing drugs during a three-year period beginning in 2001. But there is no evidence that Rodriguez, Reyes and Delgado violated baseball's steroid policy or any laws by seeking treatment from Galea, a pioneer in the controversial but legal therapy known as "blood spinning.""

For Rodriguez and Yankees, Another Bout of Disclosure

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March 2

New York Times

"Last December, concerned Yankee officials reached out to representatives of their star slugger Alex Rodriguez. Along with everyone else in baseball, they had just learned that a Canadian-based doctor named Anthony Galea was under investigation as a possible distributor of performance-enhancing drugs. What the Yankees wanted to know was whether Rodriguez had ever had any dealings with Galea. The Yankees were particularly concerned, said a person in baseball with knowledge of what occurred, because Rodriguez was monitored by a chiropractor last season who had worked closely with Galea in the past. The monitoring was part of the follow-up to Rodriguez's hip surgery last March, and the ..."

A-Rod may discuss doctor with FBI

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March 2

MLB.com

"Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez has been contacted by federal agents regarding a Canadian doctor under investigation for alleged drug violations not limited to professional athletes. Rodriguez could join Mets shortstop Jose Reyes, as well as other non-baseball clients, among those who have spoken to authorities about Anthony Galea, a Toronto-based sports medicine doctor who has also worked with golf icon Tiger Woods. "I'm aware of an investigation, and I plan on cooperating," Rodriguez said at George M. Steinbrenner Field after the Yankees' workout. Rodriguez declined to comment when asked about the nature of his relationship with Galea, who faces charges in Canada of conspiring to ..."

Report: NY Yankees star Alex Rodriguez may speak to federal agents investigating Canadian doctor

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March 1

Newark Star-Ledger

"Yankees star Alex Rodriguez did not speak with reporters on Monday morning after a report in morning editions of the New York Daily News indicated that he could be the latest athlete interviewed by federal agents investigating a Canadian doctor accused of violating anti-doping policies. Citing an anonymous source, the Daily News reported that the same federal agents who spoke with Mets shortstop Jose Reyes on Thursday regarding Toronto-based sports medicine doctor Tony Galea, could also interview Rodriguez. Among other charges, Canadian authorities have accused Galea of attempting to smuggle human growth hormone (HGH) into the U.S."

Joba-Hughes battle a 'luxury' for team, A-Rod says

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March 1

New York Post

"According to Alex Rodriguez the Yankees can't lose between Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes in the fight for the fifth starter's spot. "They're both great young pitchers," Rodriguez said after facing Hughes in batting practice yesterday. "It's a great luxury for us to have. You can throw balls up in the air and whoever comes down, the Yankees are the winner. A good problem to have." Hughes and Chamberlain threw batting practice for the second time and Rodriguez tagged Hughes twice. "He has a good arm, easy cheese," Rodriguez said of Hughes, off whom he drove deep balls to left and right. Hughes and Chamberlain are slated to pitch against the Rays Friday. "My delivery and fastball command ..."

Alex Rodriguez pounds Phil Hughes, but is still impressed

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March 1

New York Daily News

"Phil Hughes blew two fastballs by Alex Rodriguez during the first part of his live batting practice session Sunday, but when he tried to attack the third baseman in Round 2, he learned what it feels like to be victimized by A-Rod. "He was setting me up," Hughes said. "Baiting me to throw him another fastball." Rodriguez belted two balls off the outfield wall, but he remained impressed by what he saw from Hughes, who is competing with Joba Chamberlain for the No. 5 spot in the Yankees' rotation. "Phil has a good arm; easy cheese," Rodriguez said. "They're both great young pitchers. It's a great luxury for us to have. You can kind of throw the balls up in the air, and whoever comes down, the ..."

A-Rod, Tiger Woods may face query about doctor Tony Galea from feds who interviewed Jose Reyes

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March 1

New York Daily News

"Alex Rodriguez and Tiger Woods may be on deck to be questioned by the federal agents who interviewed Mets shortstop Jose Reyes last week about a Canadian doctor who is under investigation for alleged drug violations, a source closely involved in the case told the Daily News Sunday. The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the agents have indicated that they will continue talking to other athletes about a Toronto sports medicine doctor named Tony Galea, and may issue subpoaenas for the grand jury investigating Galea. Galea faces charges in Canada of conspiring to smuggle HGH and the drug Actovegin into the U.S., conspiracy to smuggle prohibited goods into Canada, unlawfully ..."

Sluggers even closer than 3 and 4 in lineup

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February 28

New York Post

columnist Kevin Kernan

"When you win a champion ship, the question is how do you get better? No team has won consecutive World Series since the Yankees won three in a row from 1998-2000. To that end, Teixeira made a trip to Miami in early January to spend a few days with Alex Rodriguez and hitting coach Kevin Long. Teixeira, one of Rodriguez's closest friends on the team, wanted to strengthen the bond with Rodriguez and improve himself as a ballplayer, working out and hitting with Rodriguez. "I'll be 30 this year, Alex is going to be 34," Teixeira said yesterday. "We want to be great into our late 30s and into our 40s. Alex and I are hoping that we're going to be here for a long time and winning a lot of ..."

Alex Rodriguez involved in "fender-bender" driving his $400,000 Maybach Thursday

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February 28

New York Daily News

"Alex Rodriguez and his car are A-OK. Asked about the minor car accident he was involved in on Thursday, A-Rod delivered a quick laugh yesterday, amused that the incident was drawing any attention at all. "I wouldn't even call it (an accident)," Rodriguez told the Daily News yesterday. "I was going about two miles per hour. It was a fender-bender. "You couldn't even tell on my car. There wasn't even a scratch." Rodriguez said the incident involving his $400,000 Maybach occurred "early" Thursday morning, about a block away from the Yankees' player parking lot at Steinbrenner Field, although he offered no other details. A-Rod was on a back field taking ground balls at 7a.m. that day, showing ..."

Alex Rodriguez welcomes quiet, boring spring

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February 26

Bergen Record

columnist Bob Klapisch

"Alex Rodriguez has embarked on that long, flat road called the rest of his career, vowing not to notice the debris in his rear-view mirror. No more steroids or Page Six scandals, now it's a straight shot to Derek Jeter-like utopia. OK, so A-Rod's legacy is never going to match the Yankee captain's. But little by little, Rodriguez is distancing himself from the crisis that nearly ruined him in 2009. A-Rod didn't just help the Yankees win a World Series, he incrementally laundered his reputation. Today, it's no big deal that A-Rod has turned into a serial dater, bouncing from Madonna to Kate Hudson to Cameron Diaz. As a single man, there's no surcharge to this lifestyle. The irony is that ..."

A-Rod can't believe how far he's come in one year

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February 26

New York Post

"Alex Rodriguez can't explain how he went from the most disgraced player in baseball to a World Series champion. "I have no idea how I got from here to here," the Yankees superstar third baseman said today at spring training, according to USA Today. Last February, Rodriguez suffered through a press conference during which he admitted he used performance-enhancing substances. Today, he reflected on the journey that led to his first world championship. "Last year, obviously, was very embarrassing," Rodriguez said. "It was the most difficult day of my life. Looking back, it was a necessary step. ... I had hit rock bottom.""

Damon, Matsui hard to replace: A-Rod

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February 26

New York Post

"Alex Rodriguez is like a lot of other Yankees: He knows what Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui meant to the club. Damon is now a Tiger and Matsui is with the Angels. Essentially, the Yankees replaced Damon with Curtis Granderson and Matsui with Nick Johnson. "Johnny is a great player, he was an integral part of our world championship team and we are going to miss him dearly. He is also a great human being," Rodriguez said. "Him and Matsui, not only are they great players but they are great people. "But the one thing this organization does is they replace good players with good players and good people." And add Rodriguez to the long list of people who believe Derek Jeter will never play for ..."

Alex Rodriguez just wants to blend in

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February 26

New York Post

"Alex Rodriguez wants us to believe he can blend into the fabric of the Yankees for a second straight season. He can say all the right things, give credit to his teammates and gush about nothing but winning matters. And yet everybody knows that Rodriguez can never truly blend into anything. His talent will eventually carry him to the title of "Best Player Ever," the money he makes separates him from everybody else and he isn't shy about being seen all over town, which makes him a Page Six favorite. "It's been difficult [to blend in], but in '09 it wasn't," Rodriguez said yesterday. "I hope to continue that." Rodriguez spoke after yesterday's workout in the same tent on the grounds of George ..."

A-Rod must continue to speak softly and carry a big bat for the New York Yankees

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February 26

New York Daily News

columnist Bill Madden

"You wouldn't exactly have called it a media love fest with Alex Rodriguez under the George M. Steinbrenner Field pavilion Thursday, but compared to last year's steroids inquisition that greeted A-Rod's arrival at spring training, the questions were a whole lot more polite than pointed and the answers at least sounded a whole lot more sincere and humble. This year, A-Rod didn't have to explain what was in "boli," when he took it, where he got it and what he planned to do about his go-fer cousin Yuri. No, this was all about how A-Rod went from there - which was "rock bottom" as an admitted steroid cheat and certifiable phony - to here - which was the top of the world, as in world champion, ..."

Grilling of A-Rod put New York Yankees fans in his corner

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February 26

New York Daily News

"Thursday, even with Alex Rodriguez doing the talking, it was lonely out there. This is what happens when Yankee Stadium is on the verge of being called the Home Office Of Tranquility. On MLB Network, there was no Barry Larkin hoping A-Rod's words would produce "transparency." Skipping around the Valley of the Stupid, there was no great anticipation about what the Yankees' third baseman might say. The gasbags spent more time talking Olympic hockey. Yeah, things can change quickly in one year. When he appeared last Feb. 17, at that now-famous press conference under the Yankees big top in Tampa, Rodriguez, in terms of image and reputation, was a broken man. His life, personally and ..."

Alex Rodriguez says winning World Series was a relief, but New York Yankees need Derek Jeter

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February 26

New York Daily News

"Amid a sea of nondescript answers about his past, present and future, Alex Rodriguez was clear and candid Thursday when asked about the contract situation of his teammate, Derek Jeter. "Derek Jeter was born to be a Yankee and he was born to wear pinstripes," Rodriguez told a gathering of media. "He's our captain and we need him here. I envision he'll finish his career here. I can't envision him wearing any other uniform." That's a far cry from Rodriguez's 2001 comments to Esquire when he said the Captain "has never had to lead. He can just go and play and have fun." He drew from the Yankees' past glories when he also told the magazine, "You go into New York, you want to stop Bernie ..."

Rodriguez Stands Alone, and That's a Good Thing

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February 26

New York Times

columnist George Vecsey

"This time A-Rod did not have a posse. When holding a news conference at the start of spring training, it is a positive step not to be accompanied by a silent phalanx of teammates. Last year when Alex Rodriguez fessed up to transgressions involving an illegal body-building substance he called boli, he was backed by a cadre that included Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada and many other current Yankees. The big tent out behind left field also served as a forum two years ago, when Andy Pettitte admitted dabbling with forbidden stuff. Good old Andy did it so touchingly that nobody ever brought it up again. On Thursday, Rodriguez did not have anybody watching his back as he gave his ..."

Joe Girardi: NY Yankees star Alex Rodriguez 'at peace' with himself

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February 25

Newark Star-Ledger

"So, how highly anticipated is Alex Rodriguez's session under the tent? "I didn't realize he had a tent session," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "I'm sure this tent session will be a lot different." Rodriguez will speak to reporters this afternoon for the first time this spring, though this press conference is going to be a far cry from last year's, when Rodriguez came to camp on the heels of his steroids scandal."

A lot less stress on A-Rod this spring

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February 25

New York Post

"Same tent. Far different atmosphere. Last year Alex Rodriguez sat in an event tent on the grounds of George M. Steinbrenner Field and told the world about his steroid use as a Ranger. Today, in the same tent, Rodriguez will continue the habit he acquired last year of saying nothing that will land on the back page of The Post. "It will be a lot different," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "Obviously, he went through a lot last year. He has to feel a little bit different coming into this spring training than last spring training. He seems pretty much in the same spot. He is at peace like he was last fall. He is happy, great shape and energy [yesterday]. It seemed like he had a lot of fun ..."

Joe Girardi can see A-Rod's at ease

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February 25

New York Daily News

"A year ago, Alex Rodriguez sat under the big tent at the Yankees' spring training complex answering questions about his steroid use. Thursday, A-Rod will be back in the same place, but it should be a much more enjoyable experience for the third baseman. After leading the Yankees to the World Series title last fall and staying out of the headlines this winter, A-Rod doesn't figure to be facing controversial questions when he meets the media for the first time this afternoon. "It will probably be a lot different. Obviously, he went through a lot last year," Joe Girardi said. "He's got to feel a little different coming into this spring training than last spring training.""

Two Will Climb Ladder, but How High?

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February 25

New York Times

"In the first year of the new Yankee Stadium, its tenants won the World Series. In its second, Alex Rodriguez could hit his 600th home run. In its third, Derek Jeter should notch his 3,000th hit. More milestones will follow, and Rodriguez and Jeter will almost certainly be chasing them together. They have been connected since the beginning of their careers, when they were dynamic young shortstops, so why should this be any different? As soon as Jeter re-signs with the Yankees after this season - "I've never envisioned myself playing anywhere else," he said Wednesday - he and Rodriguez will be climbing parallel ladders toward baseball immortality even as both grow older on the same side of ..."

Alex avoiding touchy subjects

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February 24

New York Post

"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.""

One year after steroid admission, A-Rod arrives at New York Yankees camp with little fanfare

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February 24

New York Daily News

"No longer "young and stupid," or lacking a World Series ring, a smiling A-Rod reported for spring training Tuesday - minus the clouds of steroid and sex scandals. All smiles and tanned, Alex Rodriguez strolled into the Yankees training facility with little fanfare, a contrast to the tumult and tension that greeted him a year ago. The Bombers hot-corner star will meet the media for the first time Thursday in the same tent where he confessed last February to being a steroids cheat. Coming off his stellar postseason performance, capped by the Yankees World Series victory, Rodriguez, 34, appears to have shaken his Mr. Controversy title as he kicks off his sixth season with the Yanks."

Online bidder pays $103,579 for A-Rod's historic 500th homer ball

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February 5

New York Daily News

"A-Rod's 500th home run ball is going, going, gone! The ball smashed by the Yankee slugger on Aug. 4, 2007, to reach the historic milestone fetched $103,579 in an online auction that ended Thursday night. The sum, paid by an unknown bidder, is just a fraction of what was previously doled out for dingers hit before the rampant use of steroids by baseball players became widely known."

Last spring A-Rod thought career could be over

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January 29

New York Post

"Bo knew athletic stardom -- and early retirement. Last spring, Alex Rodriguez thought he would be this millennium's Bo Jackson. In an interview that aired last night on YES, the Yankees third baseman said he thought his career was over last March when he was diagnosed with a torn labrum in his hip that forced subsequent surgery. Jackson had a similar injury, curtailing his football and baseball careers. "Staring at retirement right in the face, kind of like Bo Jackson, that is the first thing I thought of," said Rodriguez, 34. "Then having [Dr.] Marc Phillippon just doing an amazing intermediate surgery as we called it, it was a commitment I wanted to do for the team. "It was very scary, ..."

Rodriguez, other Yankees, star at baseball Awards dinner

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January 24

MLB.com

"At a typical Baseball Writers' Association of America awards dinner, the "oohs" and "ahhs" are reserved for the most spectacular guests -- the Most Valuable Players and the Cy Young Award winners and the like.But Saturday's dinner was no typical BBWAA dinner. Saturday's dinner was the 87th for the New York chapter, with a numerical theme and a clear tone. On a night in which the city's baseball writers celebrated the number 27 -- as in 27 World Series titles -- the fans in attendance celebrated their Yankees.It was a New York state of mind, indeed.Kings of it all were the Core Four, that quartet of Yankees who were around back in 1996 and who, two and a half months after celebrating their ..."

A-Rod delivers again as NY Yankees celebrate at BBWAA awards

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January 24

Newark Star-Ledger

"As I tweeted on Saturday night, Yankees star Alex Rodriguez came up big with another clutch moment, delivering perhaps the funniest line of the 87th annual BBWAA awards. This year, the writers awarded Rodriguez won the Babe Ruth Award, in recognition of the postseason heroics that had mostly eluded him until he raised his game for the Yankees World Series run. "What's next?" Rodriguez quipped. "The good guy award?" Here's an overview of the awards dinner. Star-Ledger Mets writer Brian Costa has a few moments too. He points out what I thought: there were moments where this thing could have been renamed the "New York Mets Celebrity Roast." Not gonna lie: party of me was waiting for Bergen ..."

Always in the Spotlight, for Good and Ill

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December 27

New York Times

"The dominant story lines in baseball this decade revolved around one player. Wherever he went and whatever he did, Alex Rodriguez found himself, for better or worse, at the center of it all. In the 2000s, Rodriguez signed the heftiest contract in history (twice) and intensified the best and fiercest rivalry. He suffered after the most memorable series (the epic 2004 American League Championship Series) and rejoiced at being the centerpiece of the biggest trade. He switched allegiances in the World Baseball Classic and acknowledged his role in the steroids scandal, baseball's largest blemish."

A-Rod avoids surgery, cleared for workouts

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December 18

New York Post

"Alex Rodriguez is done sweating -- so now he can begin sweating. The Yankees third baseman nervously awaited the results of an MRI exam earlier this week that revealed no need for further surgery on his right hip. Rodriguez is clear to begin a rigorous offseason workout program and expects to arrive at spring training ready to roll. Dr. Marc Philippon performed surgery last March to repair a torn labrum in Rodriguez's right hip, forcing the slugger to miss the Yankees' first 28 games. Rodriguez was examined by Philippon in Vail, Colo., on Sunday and received the clean bill of a health a day later. "I probably would have ended up having surgery [yesterday] at 9 a.m. if the results were not ..."