No Grand Ceremony Planned For A-Rod's Final Trip To Fenway
BOSTON (CBS) -- When Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera made their final visits to Fenway Park, the Yankee greats were both treated to ceremonies honoring their longstanding parts in the historic Red Sox-Yankees rivalry.
Don't expect the same fanfare for Alex Rodriguez this week.
Rodriguez, who announced over the weekend that he will play his final game Friday evening at Yankee Stadium, will play in his final series at Fenway Park when the Sox and Yanks kick off a three-game set on Tuesday. That doesn't really leave much planning time for the Red Sox, not that they would use it.
While the Boston organization will likely make a "low-key acknowledgement" of Rodriguez's villainous role in the rivalry at some point during the series, ESPN Boston is reporting there will be no grand farewell ceremony for A-Rod.
Rodriguez has certainly had a contentious relationship with Boston's baseball team, stemming mostly from his days with the Yankees. He nearly came to Boston in 2003, when the Red Sox would have sent Manny Ramirez and then-prospect Jon Lester to the Texas Rangers in exchange for the slugger, but that deal was rejected by the MLB player's union over Rodriguez taking a $28 million pay cut. Shortly after that deal fell through, he was dealt to the Yankees and became one of the great villains of the rivalry.
Though Boston fans grew to respect what Rivera and Jeter accomplished on the diamond, those feelings never bloomed for Rodgriguez. From slapping the ball out of Bronson Arroyo's glove in the 2004 ALCS to his steroid suspension in 2013, he's been a player fans have passionately loved to hate.
So while the Red Sox won't be doing much to honor him, expect the Fenway faithful to be out in full force for what should be an interesting sendoff.
Maybe Boston will bring back Ryan Dempster on a one-pitch contract for A-Rod's final visit? If that's the case, let's hope Jason Varitek also comes back for a quick appearance behind the plate.