TO TELL THE TRUTH
A-Rod says he’ll be straight talker for ESPN
TAMPA — Alex Rodriguez works for the Yankees and hasn’t been shy about his love for the organization and how Hal Steinbrenner has treated him. He also gets paid by ESPN as part of the network’s “Sunday Night Baseball” production.
So how will the former Yankees superstar balance the team he adores and gets paid by when he’s on the air for a company that also pays him?
“[ESPN] pays me to tell the what and the why, and I plan on doing that objectively and fairly,’’ Rodriguez said outside the Yankees’ clubhouse Monday night after the Rays beat the Yankees, 4-2, at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
Rodriguez entered camp for the first time Monday afternoon and chatted behind the batting cage with Boone, whom he replaced at ESPN.
Rodriguez claimed he didn’t know the details of the Yankees’ lineup, but predicted the possibility of a power show is real.
“It has the opportunity to be record breaking and put up numbers we have not seen in a long time,’’ Rodriguez said of the lineup that will house Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Gary Sanchez, Didi Gregorius and Greg Bird. “They certainly have the ability to be record breaking.’’
As for Stanton getting acclimated to New York after spending his entire career in Miami playing for bad teams in front of empty seats, he will get a big taste of how different New York is than anyplace else.
Without mentioning Stanton, Rodriguez said his experience coming to New York can be helpful in his role as an adviser.
“There is always a place for helping players get adjusted to New York,’’ said Rodriguez, who could write a textbook on that subject. “No matter what generation you are talking about, that is one of the most challenging things I had to do. Having players come from secondary markets to the No. 1 market in the world is very difficult.’’
Rodriguez’s chores will be up to Hal Steinbrenner, whom the former third baseman has told about his desire to be a Yankee for the rest of his life.
“Whatever Hal wants me to do,’’ Rodriguez said. “I have had great talks with Hal and Brian [Cashman]. They were very brief. The three of us have passion and respect for this group.’’