A storm, a big hit, cheers punctuate A-Rod’s farewell

NEW YORK — First, there was a tremendous thunderstorm Friday night that shed a torrent of rain on Yankee Stadium. The deluge gave way to a partial rainbow that stripped the dark, gray sky to the left and above the huge videoboard that hovers over center field.

The baseball gods were definitely in conflict as Alex Rodriguez began his final game as a Yankee and perhaps in Major League Baseball.

“It was certainly biblical,” A-Rod said after he ushered out his 22-year career with a 6-3 win over the Rays, the Yankees’ third in a row. “You could hear the thunder crackle. You can’t make that up. I guess we went out with a bang.”

The environmental dichotomy is certainly the way A-Rod will be remembered as a baseball player. The good and the bad. The Ying and the Yang. And in the end, more than a season and a half of pure redemption.

America is a country of second chances, after all. And because of that, more than anything else, Yankees principal owner Hal Steinbrenner asked Rodriquez to continue with the club through the end of his contract in 2017 as an advisor and instructor to the young players.

He was unconditionally released after going 1-for-4 in his last game with an RBI double. Manager Joe Girardi, who broke down in tears during his postgame news conference, gave him a graceful exit by putting A-Rod in the game in the ninth for one batter to play third base. He then left to an ovation.

“It’s been a great run, an incredible journey,” Rodriguez said. “I never thought that when I entered Fenway Park as an 18-year-old [for the Mariners], I’d be playing for 10 years, let alone 22 years.

“I’m going to take this whole week to go down memory lane and remember the good things that happened. I’ve thought a lot about 2009 and the world championship here. That’s a memory we all have forever. Also, Hal’s given me an opportunity to stay involved in the organization.

“With all …

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