Alex Rodriguez participated in spring workouts for the New York Yankees on Monday, making his first return to the team since his year-long suspension for PED use.
Alex Rodriguez reports to Yankees camp, hopes to make the team
Rodriguez said all the right things during his first day of camp Monday, but still managed to ruffle a few feathers.
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Rodriguez took grounders at third base as well as batting practice before talking to a group of roughly 20 reporters at the Yankees’ minor league complex in Tampa Bay. The 39-year-old acknowledged he made “plenty of mistakes” in the past, expressing a willingness to move forward and focus on the 2015 campaign, according to Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News.
“I cringe sometimes when I look at some of the things I did, but I paid my penalty, and I’m grateful that I have another opportunity,” Rodriguez told Feinsand. “No mistake that I’ve made has any good answer or justification. It’s unexplainable, and that’s on me. I’ve dug a big hole for myself and paid a price. I’m fortunate for a lot of people—especially the Commissioner’s office, the players union and the Yankees—to give me the opportunity to play the game that I love.”
While A-Rod said all the right things and appeared contrite in apologizing, his arrival Monday caught the Yankees by surprise. Per Feinsand, many Yankees officials were angry Rodriguez did not let the club know that he was arriving Monday, with one executive saying, “He’s learned nothing. He’s the same old guy.”
Still, Rodriguez showed a desire to move past any distractions and put the focus firmly on the team’s 2015 chances.
“It feels great to be back,” Rodriguez said. “Obviously it was a rough year, but I’m very excited that’s behind me, and I have a chance to hopefully make this team.”
The 20-year veteran said he doesn’t plan to address his Yankees’ teammates as a whole and stated that he felt “very welcome” to be back in camp with the squad. He also indicated that he would be willing to take grounders at first base and do anything Yankees manager Joe Girardi asks of him this spring.
Rodriguez has three years and $64 million remaining on his contract, plus another $30 million in bonuses tied up in career home run milestones.
While his first day back went relatively smoothly, the media circus surrounding Rodriguez and the Yankees should only grow in the coming days. Given his history and all the attention directed toward him during his career, the spotlight will remain firmly fixed on Rodriguez throughout the season.
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