NEW YORK – Jazz Chisholm Jr. currently wears Alex Rodriguez’s old No. 13 pinstripe jersey – like Joey Gallo before him – so it seems far-fetched that he would stop wearing A-Rod’s number at some point.
But how about putting up a memorial plaque in Monument Park at some point?
“Yeah, I’ve thought about it,” A-Rod said Saturday when he made his first appearance at a Yankees Old-Timers’ Day. “I’d love to be there, but that’s not my decision.”
“I appreciate everything about the New York Yankees and it would be an honor” to be a part of it.
A-Rod received warm applause at his introduction at Yankee Stadium, celebrating his 15th birthday.th Anniversary of the Yankees’ 2009 World Championship team.
After returning from hip surgery in early May of this season, A-Rod played a huge role in the postseason, with CC Sabathia even saying that Rodriguez should have shared his 2009 ALCS MVP.
But A-Rod’s numerous controversies on and off the field, culminating in his 2014 suspension from MLB for doping and his uncompromising defense – including a lawsuit against the team doctor and vilification of various team members – paralleled his world-class talent and box office appeal.
“I was actually surprised that I got an invitation,” A-Rod said of the request to attend, donning his old Yankees jersey for the first time since retiring in 2016.
“He wears it all the time at home,” joked Derek Jeter.
Rodriguez, 49, has been to the stadium many times as a television commentator for baseball games, but “just being back in uniform is pretty unique,” he said.
“It’s a great experience – it feels like we were here in 2009,” A-Rod said, adding that he had “a nice conversation” with GM Brian Cashman on Saturday. “I’m very proud of my time in New York and very proud to be part of a championship team.”
Hideki Matsui was named Most Valuable Player of the 2009 World Series, but said through an interpreter, “I can honestly say that without (A-Rod), we certainly could not have won the World Series.”
When asked if A-Rod should participate in Monument Park, former teammates like CC Sabathia and Jorge Posada politely referred the question to management.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone said: “He was a great Yankee. I think that’s a reasonable request.”
It was Boone’s basketball injury in the offseason in the winter of 2003 that triggered the Yankees’ trade for A-Rod and made history.
“I’m more of a HORSE player now,” Boone said.
