Yankee News: A-Rod Back in Steinbrenners Good Graces

In what has been considered one of the best comeback stories of spring training, Alex Rodriguez has been able to rehabilitate his relationship with the Steinbrenners. His stock has improved so much that Hank Steinbrenner, New York Yankees general partner and co-chairperson, invited him to an upcoming golf charity event.

“Personally, I’m very pleased [with Rodriguez],” Steinbrenner said. “I’m proud of him right now.” The other half of the Steinbrenner duo, Yankees managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner said “I think he’s done a great job,” Hal Steinbrenner said. “He’s been positive. He’s out here working hard. He’s playing well. He’s been great with the fans,” referring to Rodriguez.

This stunning reversal of fortunes started on January 25, when he went on an all out ‘apology tour,’ which included stops at MLB headquarters and Yankee Stadium as well as an open letter to fans.

Rodriguez’s stock was so low in August 2013 that Yankees GM, Brian Cashman, was uncomfortable talking to the star. “I’m not comfortable talking to Alex, because I feel we’re in a litigious environment, so I am not comfortable anymore talking to him,” he said.

The bad blood between baseball and Rodriguez stemmed from his repeated use of performance-enhancing drugs (PED’s) and lawsuits against Major League Baseball (MLB), and MLB Players Association (MLBPA). The suit alleged that the Yankees and MLB conspired to keep Rodriguez from cashing in on the $86 million remaining on his contract at the time (2013).

Now, even Cashman has praise for the aging superstar. “I thought he’s handled himself, both on the field and obviously in the clubhouse and in his interviews with you guys extremely well. It’s been about baseball, and he’s done really well on that level, too,” he said.

This turn of events would have been impossible to fathom just 10 weeks ago. In that amount of time Rodriguez has managed to carry himself in a manner consistent with the Yankee way. In 18 games he’s batting .286/.400/.924, while adapting to his new role as DH and 1B back-up to Mark Teixeira.