Alex Rodriguez is enjoying a renaissance this season in his return from a PED suspension, helping lead the Yankees to the top of the AL East. He took a swing at some Q&A with Post columnist Steve Serby.
Q: You’ve said repeatedly you’re in a good place. Describe what that place looks and feels like.
A: I’m happier. I took a lot of things for granted, and now I get on the field and I have fun. And I’m grateful. I’m grateful for every day. I have more perspective, and I don’t take myself too seriously. I think my daughters helped with that.
Q: Your daughters helped in what way?
A: My girls are great at making fun of Dad. They’re never impressed with anything I do. I love that, I hope that never changes. Being away was a blessing in disguise in many ways for me.
Q: Physically and emotionally?
A: Yeah, and also it brought back the appreciation I felt when I first came to the big leagues at 18. How much I just loved being on a big- league field, how grateful I was to be part of it all. Maybe in the future players will take a sabbatical for a year and come back. I don’t know if we’re meant to play for 25 years in a row without a break. For me the time off was a blessing in disguise for sure.
Q: What did you miss most when you were away from the game?
A: My teammates … competition.
Q: Was there any time when you contemplated walking away from the game?
A: Some people advised me to quit. But I missed the game too much, and I missed my teammates, and I wanted to try for a different ending.
Q: Do you think this is a World Series championship team?
A: Yes.
Q: Why?
A: I just think we have a good mix of guys, we have good chemistry, and we can build on some of the good things we did in the first half of the year. We really have an incredible bond and brotherhood.
Q: Were there times in your own clubhouse that you felt like an outsider?
A: I wouldn’t say that, but I will say that this is probably the most comfortable I’ve felt in a really long time if not ever.
Q: Would you agree that life begins at 40?
A: I would sign up for that right now.
Q: Why do you think it took you so long to find happiness?
A: I just think I’m a lot happier now because I have more perspective about baseball and life.
Q: As a DH, can you play until you’re 50?
A: Ha. No, I can’t play till I’m 50, but I’m healthy, I feel good, and as long as this stays true I’ll keep going.
Q: How long do you think you can play for as a DH?
A: As long as this old body will hold up, I’ll keep going.
Q: Do you want to finish your career as a Yankee?
A: Yes.
Q: Why?
A: It’s the best franchise in baseball. You have the smartest, most passionate fans, and it’s a privilege to wear the pinstripes.
Q: Do you have a greater appreciation for what it means to be a New York Yankee?
A: Yes. It’s everything — how you are off the field, in the clubhouse and on the field, they’re all important. Early in my career, it was just about being a great player and hitting home runs. That’s only one part of it.
Q: What does it mean to you that you’ve been accepted inside the Yankees clubhouse the way you have, and why do you think you have?
A: Having the respect of your peers means the world to me. The brotherhood we’ve developed in the clubhouse this year has made this year a lot of fun.
Q: But why do you think you’ve been welcomed with open arms?
A: I don’t know. … I’m grateful, I’m happy … and I’m there to contribute. I just want to be one of the guys.
Q: When was the last time you felt this comfortable in the Yankees clubhouse?
A: 2009. That was a good year for the team.
Q: How were you able to adapt to DH so smoothly?
A: While I was gone, I spent some time with Edgar Martinez and Barry Bonds. … Edgar talked to me about some of his routines and what made him be a productive DH. They were helpful, and over time, I just kind of built my routine and I’ve been very comfortable doing it.
Q: Describe your older daughter, Natasha.
A: Natasha is incredibly smart, kind, fun to be with. She loves reading. She’s already Student Council president. She’s only 10 — and tells me she wants to get her Ph.D.
Q: How does Ella’s personality differ from Natasha’s?
A: Perceptive, smart. She gets excited about little moments in life, and I love that. She wants to be an entrepreneur. She’ll make a great boss.
Q: How did they help you when you were away from the game?
A: They helped me see baseball as a game and a passion. Family, and what kind of dad, and what kind of person you are, is really what’s most important. Just perspective.
Q: What kind of a dad do you hope you are?
A: I hope present, compassionate, loving.
Q: Did you have a heart-to-heart with them about what was going on with your career last year?
A: I’m so proud of both of them, and I like to keep those conversations private. I do like that they’re impossible to impress. I can hit three home runs, and the only thing they care about is if I’m picking the right radio station — and I like ’80s rock, so that’s oldies for them.
Q: Were those heart-to-hearts painful?
A: I’ll leave those conversations private, but it was certainly challenging.
Q: Was anyone else influential as a guidance counselor/therapist during your suspension?
A: [Alabama football coach] Nick Saban’s a huge baseball fan, and he had some great words of wisdom. It had to do with perspective and appreciation, and it really helped.
Q: Did you see the Post back-page photo of you as Mr. Clean?
A: No, I didn’t see that. I was on the road.
Q: What prompted that was you telling reporters you were clean.
A: They asked me a question, and I answered it. One of the things that I’ve been trying to do both on and off the field is keep it really simple, and see ball, hit ball.
Q: A baseball scouting report on Alex Rodriguez DH.
A: Wouldn’t that be suicide really ?
Q: You’re 36 home runs away from Babe Ruth. Wrap your head around that if you could.
A: Babe Ruth is an icon, in sports and in our society. And I really don’t like to talk about milestones before I get there.
Q: You need 85 more HRs to pass Barry Bonds. Can you do it?
A: The last thing that I’m thinking about are milestones that are a couple of years away when I’m just trying to stay healthy on the field right now.
Q: Last milestone question: What will 700 homers mean to you?
A: Again, I keep trying to get ahead of myself and not talk about milestones.
Q: How much do you study tape and pitchers and do you keep a book?
A: I’ve always been a video guy, and also, I think being DH has allowed me to prepare better for each at bat.
Q: Who were and are some of your favorite hitters to watch?
A: Former teammates John Olerud, Edgar Martinez. Guys that I played against — Barry Bonds.
Q: Which pitchers in history would you have loved to have faced?
A: I would say Sandy Koufax and Bob Gibson — best left-hander and right-hander in their era.
Q: I’m not so sure you would have enjoyed facing either one of them.
A: You’re right. You always want to face the best, that’s what makes it the most fun.
Q: Which pitchers today really get your juices flowing?
A: I think over the last five years, pitchers have been throwing so much harder. And you see that every guy that comes out of the bullpen is throwing mid-90s to high-90s, and that’s a big change, and is a real challenge — especially when you’re 40.
Q: When did you start incorporating yoga into your regimen?
A: Probably about three years ago, and more so while I was serving my suspension. I was so banged up over the last three or four years that I felt that I needed to find a new workout regimen that would help me stay more healthy, more limber, more flexible.
Q: Some of your teammates: Brett Gardner.
A: He’s the heart and soul of our team. It’s been fun to watch his game evolve over the last few years. It’s been very impressive.
Q: Mark Teixeira.
A: Tex is extremely professional. Always prepared. And a guy that has a great sense of humor.
Q: Brian McCann.
A: A great leader. And one of the funniest guys I’ve ever played with. And if I can just add one thing? Our bench coach Rob Thompson is worth special mention. He has over 25 years of experience with the Yankees at every level. He will be a great manager one day.
Q: What’s been the big difference from the beginning of the year for Didi Gregorius?
A: I talk to Didi all the time. The goal for Didi is to be the best version of himself and not compare himself to anyone. He looks and feels a lot more comfortable on both sides of the ball. And we’re just starting to see a tip of the iceberg of his high ceiling as a great ball player.
Q: Do you think he felt pressure trying to replace Derek Jeter?
A: You would have to ask him, but I just know that as of late, what we’ve seen is a guy that’s just learning the play book, you know it’s different in New York, and is getting a lot more comfortable wearing Pinstripes.
Q: What makes Dellin Betances so intimidating?
A: I think his size [6-foot-8]. His size is something you just don’t see very often, and I don’t think hitters are used to that angle. With that height, and he has two A plus pitches, it’s something that’s extremely intimidating and rare.
Q: What do you recall hitting against Andrew Miller?
A: Always really tough at bat. Great competitor. Strike thrower.
Q: What are the qualities you admire in manager Joe Girardi?
A: Joe’s a great manager, great leader. He had the discipline of a Navy SEAL, and an Ivy League mind.
Q: Why is everyone rooting so hard for CC Sabathia?
A: CC’s a champion. He’s a tremendous leader in our clubhouse, very popular, and he’s also a great friend of mine.
Q: Masahiro Tanaka.
A: Extremely talented … poised … his skills are very refined.
Q: Nathan Eovaldi.
A: Great talent. I think the combination of his fastball command, and the fact that he’s throwing his split-finger more often and with more conviction makes him a great frontline starter for us.
Q: How gratifying is it for you nurturing some of the young players and being a leader?
A: As a young player, I benefitted greatly from some great leaders and teachers, and I wouldn’t be the player I am today if it wasn’t for them. If it wasn’t for the Edgar Martinezes and Ken Griffeys and Jay Buhners and the Lou Piniellas, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I like to help where I can.
Q: What do you hope Yankees fans are saying about you now or will say about you in the future?
A: I just want to be one of those guys who gets them to the championship and helps them win it.
Q: Did winning that World Series in 2009 increase your hunger to win a second one?
A: Yeah, I mean, it’s just addictive. Once you do it once, you just want to keep going, for sure.
Q: Rob Manfred.
A: Commissioner Manfred and his team are making a lot of exciting changes — picking up the pace of the game, using new technologies to engage fans, getting youth involved. He’s modernizing the game in the right ways and I think baseball is in great hands.
Q: Hal and Hank Steinbrenner.
A: Hank and Hal are the kind of owners any player wants to work for. They’re committed to doing what it takes to win championships. And I will forever be grateful to Hal for getting my 3,000 ball for my daughters.
Q: Do you think you’re changing the narrative from the point of view of Yankees fans about you?
A: I don’t know, all I’m trying to do is go out and play and have fun and help the team win.
Q: So a parade through the Canyon of Heroes this year is realistic?
A: Look, I think anything’s possible. I think our management put together a really fine roster. And if we stay healthy, anything’s possible.
Q: When you walk down the street now, what kind of reaction do you get?
A: It’s amazing. I mean, the people are so supportive, and encouraging, and happy to have you back and happy the team’s winning, and all great stuff. And my only message to the New York fans is, “Thank you for the opportunity to play for the New York Yankees, and the support.”