ARLINGTON, Texas — New York Yankees designated hitter Alex Rodriguez celebrated his 40th birthday Monday in the town where he gained national attention as a 25-year-old, when he signed a record-setting contract with the Texas Rangers.
Rodriguez, who has 24 home runs and 59 RBIs in his return to baseball this season, had nothing but good things to say about his three seasons in Texas from 2001 to 2003.
He also had nothing but good things to say about turning 40.
“One day older than yesterday,” said Rodriguez, who celebrated his birthday with a solo home run in the sixth inning of the Yankees’ 6-2 win over the Rangers. “It feels good. Feels good. Happy to be here. I’m in a good place. I feel healthy. It’s nice to have my daughters here and some friends, to be able share my birthday with my teammates.”
His historic homer Monday made him just the fourth player in history to have home runs in their teens and their 40s. He joined Ty Cobb, Rusty Staub and Gary Sheffield.
Rodriguez said he wouldn’t give any advice to 30-year-old Rodriguez or a 20-year-old Rodriguez. However, he knows his priorities aren’t the same as they used to be.
“I’m in no position to give anyone advice, including myself,” he said. “But I think there was a point in time for me that hitting home runs and being a great baseball player was all that mattered. And I figured that if I hit more home runs, it would justify for whatever behavior I had off the field. And I realize today that it’s not that way at all. Hitting home runs doesn’t make you a good father. It doesn’t make you a good friend. And it certainly doesn’t make you a good teammate. And to me, they’re both important.”
Rodriguez is a big reason the Yankees are the class of the American League East. His play hasn’t surprised manager Joe Girardi.
“I expected him to be productive throughout the year,” Girardi said. “Every hitter is going to go through their good times and their bad times, but get off days like the other day, try to keep him fresh and strong. Expect to be an everyday player now.”