For Alex Rodriguez, it was a “dream come true” to be able to put on the Yankee pinstripes one more time on Saturday afternoon.
For the first time since his retirement, the legendary third baseman was invited back to participate in the Old Timers’ Day ceremony, where the organization took time to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the 2009 World Series champion team.
“I can't believe it’s been 15 years since 2009,” A-Rod said. “There’s nothing like winning a championship in New York. There’s not a day that goes by where I’m walking around the streets and a fan, a cab driver, a teacher, fireman or woman says to me thank you for 2009.
“It’s amazing how winning connects this incredible fanbase and also our players, we’re connected for life because we did something that’s so unique and it’s so hard to do. To be able to do it, it just was so awesome.”
Rodriguez and the Yanks certainly had their fair share of bumps along the way, but the three-time AL MVP also enjoyed a ton of success over the course of the final 12 years of his career which were all spent in the Bronx.
He took home two of those MVP awards, was named to the All-Star Game seven times, accumulated 351 homers and 1,096 RBI, and most importantly won his only career title while donning the pinstripes.
The slugger played a major role as the cleanup hitter for that championship squad as well, as he popped six homers, drove in 18 runs, and recorded a 1.330 OPS when things mattered most in the postseason.
Despite the Hall of Fame-worthy numbers, Rodriguez is still yet to find his No. 13 jersey sitting among the franchise greats over in Monument Park at the Stadium because of his checkered past connected to PEDs.
Whether or not he’ll eventually end up making the cut still remains to be seen, but it’s an honor that A-Rod says he’s certainly thought about since retiring, and he’s hoping to receive one day down the road.
“I would love to be in but obviously that’s not my decision,” Rodriguez said. “But I honor everything about the New York Yankees, it’s a great family, and it would be an absolute honor to end up there one day.”