A-Rod Launches 655th Home Run, First Since 2013

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) — Alex Rodriguez has hit his first home run since serving a yearlong drug suspension -- and boy, does it feel good.

The three-time MVP connected Thursday night off Toronto Blue Jays rookie Daniel Norris, leading off the sixth inning by launching a high fastball deep into the left-field seats for his 655th career homer.

"I felt like I needed Google Maps or something to round the bases," Rodriguez said after the New York Yankees' 6-3 loss. "It's been a long, long time. It certainly felt good to get some cheers in front of the home fans and get us going a little bit. Any time you get the first one of the column -- win, hit, RBI -- all those things are important."

Rodriguez, moved up to second in New York's lineup against a lefty, tossed his bat aside and rounded the bases without any fanfare, though the drive invigorated a small crowd on a cold night at Yankee Stadium.

"Obviously, we want him to drive the ball," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said, according to MLB.com. "That's a good sign for us. I thought he hit one yesterday that might have been a home run if not for the wind. That's a good sign for us. We need that production from him."

It was A-Rod's first home run since Sept. 20, 2013, against San Francisco reliever George Kontos. The slugger ranks fifth on the career list, five behind Willie Mays.

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