One of the greatest compliments you can pay Alex Rodriguez is that his name fits. It doesn’t seem odd or out of place that Rodriguez now sits next to Joe DiMaggio on one of the Yankees’ all-time lists.

Rodriguez’ first inning, two-run homer yesterday was his 46th of the season. In the history of the Yankees, only one other right-handed hitter has hit that many in one year – Joe D. in 1937.

“It’s an incredible honor,” Rodriguez said after the Yankees’ 7-4 loss to the Blue Jays. “Wearing this uniform is something that, when I’m old and gray, is something that I will always remember. Me being such a big fan of Joe DiMaggio, it is just special.”

Still, as is seemingly always the case with Rodriguez, he did a lot, but most everyone left wanting a little more. They wanted him to tie the game with a three-run homer. He had two chances to do so. Instead, he flew out and walked.

In the sixth, with the Yankees down, 7-4, Rodriguez stood menacingly at the plate against righty reliever Justin Speier, but A-Rod limply left two runners on by flying out to center.

In the eighth, Rodriguez had the same scenario. It was another chance to improve the A-Rod MVP argument.

This time Rodriguez came through, but not with an MVP exclamation point.

With Jays righty reliever Jason Frasor making sure he didn’t give A-Rod anything enticing, Rodriguez walked on a low and outside 3-1 curveball.

That 3-1 pitch selection demonstrated, as Jorge Posada put it, “something you don’t see too often.” The curve was a sign of the respect A-Rod has earned.

The Jays decided it’s better to go up against Jason Giambi with the bags full than give Rodriguez a chance to tie the game with one swat.

“He’s having an MVP season,” Posada said. “Doing the things he’s been able to do, especially here at Yankee Stadium, is pretty fun to see. When he comes up to hit, you pay attention to the at-bat. He is that good.”

Sometimes when records are tied, the names don’t seem comparable. Even with Joe D.’s legendary status, A-Rod belongs.

Right-hand men

With a home run yesterday, Alex Rodriguez tied the Yankees record for most homers in a season by a right-handed batter, set by Joe DiMaggio in 1937. Here’s a closer look:

Player HR Year

Joe DiMaggio 46 1937

ALEX RODRIGUEZ 46 2005

Dave Winfield 37 1982

Alex Rodriguez 36 2004

Gary Sheffield 36 2004

Bobby Bonds 32 1975

Danny Tartabull 31 1992