Alex Rodriguez told reporters that New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi denied his request to play third base in his finale with the team Friday.
Friday night, the Alex Rodriguez era comes to an end in the Bronx has he plays what looks to be the final game of his 22 year career. A-Rod will take the field for the final time when the New York Yankees face the Tampa Bay Rays — but as of now, he will only step in the batter’s box.
Rodriguez told reporters, in a story published by ESPN.com, that he had wanted to play third base (where he played for most of his time with the Yankees) for the final game, but was told it wasn’t happening:
"“Tuesday, I came into his (manager Joe Girardi) office,” Rodriguez said. “He told me what the plan was and I said, ‘Well, any chance I could play third base on Friday?’ He just said no.”“We thought about it, but he hasn’t done any work,” Girardi said. “We are still in the business of trying to win games.”"
It’s hard to fault Girardi on this one, considering the Yankees are (and this is mind boggling considering they are just one game over .500 entering Thursday) still in the Wild Card hunt. Starting A-Rod in the field when he hasn’t played there at all in 2016 and did just twice in 2015 is not what the team needs right now, even for a farewell game like Friday’s.
For his part, Rodriguez played the denial as nothing controversial:
"“Look, it wasn’t a big request. I get that we are playing games. I totally get the answer. This is my last day, I would hope that a couple of balls didn’t hit me in the mouth. It was a fun request.“I wouldn’t make a big deal about it.”"
Rodriguez will become a special advisor to Yankees ownership once he is released after the game, though he has not ruled out a return to the game if another team needs a 41-year-old who can’t play the field consistently.