Few expected Alex Rodriguez to come back from a year-long suspension and be worth the trouble for the Yankees — even fewer expected the then-39-year-old to belt 33 home runs and drive in 86 runs.
A-Rod hopes to do similar damage in 2016.
“I’m going to try to do exactly what I did last year, see ball, hit ball,’’ Rodriguez told the New York Post . “Keep it really simple. Enjoy it, have fun.’’
During the course of the 2015 season, Rodriguez passed Willie Mays for fourth place on the all-time home run list. Now at 687 for his career, he’s just 27 home runs shy of tying Yankees legend Babe Ruth.
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Rodriguez described the thought of catching, and perhaps passing, Ruth as “overwhelming.”
“When you start playing baseball at 9 years old, you never think about tying anybody, let alone a guy like Babe Ruth,’’ he said.
Rodriguez said he rediscovered his love for baseball last season by connecting more in the clubhouse, mentoring younger players and working on television for Fox during the World Series.
Now at age 40, Rodriguez will go to spring training with his suspension well behind and Ruth just in front. The Yankees, who know they need to keep Rodriguez healthy, will use him solely as a DH — a role the 21-year veteran is ready to play.
“I’m very happy to bring my lumber,” he said.
The Yankees and Rodriguez both hope his lumber will result in a few more milestones and another trip to the playoffs.