Mark Teixeira is preparing himself for the return of A-Rod.
“Alex is one of the most talked-about athletes in sports, and we really hope he’s talked about because of all the home runs he hits,” Teixeira said. “Because that would be a great story.”
Rodriguez’s presence with the Yankees will no doubt be a great story once he is removed from the suspended list at the end of the World Series, but whether it’s a comedy, drama or tragedy is anyone’s guess.
What is certain is the Yankees need help in their lineup and they’re willing to get it from whomever they can. General manager Brian Cashman said in Boston he had been in touch with Rodriguez about his future in pinstripes. So has Teixeira.
The two texted before Georgia Tech and Miami faced off in college football on Saturday night.
“I told him I’m looking forward to having him back,” Teixeira said. “Who knows how many games he’s gonna play or how healthy he’s gonna be, but I know a healthy Alex Rodriguez is a big part of our lineup.”
And while Teixeira said Rodriguez sounded like he was in good spirits, it’s impossible to predict what the third baseman who missed an entire season due to his involvement in Biogenesis, has had major surgery performed on both hips and will turn 40 next season will be able to do.
“I have no idea,” Teixeira said. “I’m hoping for the best.”
Teixeira was at Liberty National Golf Club in Jersey City on Monday, hosting a fundraiser for Harlem RBI, which provides year-round academic and athletic programs to communities in East Harlem and the South Bronx, not far from Yankee Stadium, which is experiencing a dark October for the second year in a row.
In order to avoid a third, they’ll need significant contributions from not just Rodriguez, but also CC Sabathia, Carlos Beltran, as well as Teixeira.
“I’m hoping when [Rodriguez] comes back that we pick up where we left off,” Teixeira said. “He served his punishment. We’ve had other teammates that have had to serve punishments. People around baseball, you do your time and you move on. I don’t think that’s gonna be an issue.”
Time will tell.
As for himself, Teixeira said he wanted to get back to being a 150-game player, backtracking from comments he made toward the end of the season, but he hasn’t played more than 123 games in a season since 2011.
The 34-year-old has already started his offseason workout program rather than taking his typical month off after the season.
“You’d be crazy [not] to think we’d be little bit better if I was healthier,” Teixeira said. “I played [123] games. I want to play 150 and I want to be healthy and strong for 150.”
