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A-Rod bids Yanks ad13u on emotional night
- Updated: August 13, 2016
NEW YORK — The final afternoon of Alex Rodriguez’s Yankees career included a slow drive along Broadway through the neighborhoods of Harlem, during which the slugger said that he reflected on his 12 seasons commuting to his office in The Bronx.
Before the Yankees closed out a 6-3 win over the Rays, Rodriguez said that he seemed to be handling the emotions of the day well, launching several batting-practice home runs on a steamy afternoon at Yankee Stadium. He smiled, having spotted his name in the No. 3 spot against Rays right-hander Chris Archer.
• A-Rod an early catalyst as Yanks edge Rays
“I’m excited — you never really prep for this day, but here it is,” Rodriguez said. “Hopefully, I get to enjoy it. I know I’m going to savor every moment, every at-bat.”
The Yankees honored Rodriguez’s career in a pregame ceremony that was interrupted by Mother Nature, delaying the start of Friday’s game by about 25 minutes. Managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner and his wife, Christina, presented Rodriguez with a framed and matted No. 13 jersey, while general partner/vice chairperson Jennifer Steinbrenner Swindal offered Rodriguez a base signed by the 2016 roster. The inscription on the frame read, “Presented to Alex Rodriguez in commemoration of your final game with the New York Yankees. August 12, 2016. Yankee Stadium.”
Following a tribute video that included messages from Lou Piniella and Edgar Martinez, Reggie Jackson escorted Rodriguez’s mother, Lourdes, to an area behind home plate with his siblings. To loud cheers, Mariano Rivera emerged with Rodriguez’s daughters, Ella and Natasha. Public-address announcer Paul Olden then thanked Rodriguez for his years of service before dark skies gave way to loud thunderclaps and a torrential downpour, chasing the group from the field.
Rodriguez contributed his own noise in the bottom of the first inning, walking to the plate accompanied by a standing ovation. With chants of “Let’s Go, A-Rod” ringing throughout the ballpark, Rodriguez ripped a 96-mph Archer fastball up the gap in right-center field for a run-scoring double, chasing Brett Gardner home all the way from first base to even the score at 1. Rodriguez grounded out to shortstop to lead off the fourth inning and struck out swinging against Archer to end the …
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