Alex Rodriguez is heading to Fenway Park for the final time as a member of the Yankees this week, but the Red Sox don’t plan on honoring him like they did Mariano Rivera or Derek Jeter.
According to a report from ESPN, Rodriguez will be “acknowledged” by the Red Sox, but we won’t be subject to one of the painful farewell ceremonies that have been in vogue over the last few years.
Although the Boston Red Sox likely will make a low-key acknowledgment of A-Rod’s prominent role in the age-old rivalry with the New York Yankees at some point during this week’s three-game series, a source said the club isn’t planning a farewell ceremony along the lines of those received by Yankees greats Mariano Rivera in 2013 and Derek Jeter in 2014 or by Red Sox icon David Ortiz at ballparks across the majors this season.
This is probably for the best, given how much of a catalyst Rodriguez was in the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry during the mid-2000s. Interestingly enough, and unknown to me until now, Rodriguez made his major league debut at Fenway in 1994 when he was with the Mariners.
Let us now remember Rodriguez’s most significant career highlight at Fenway Park.
Enjoy retirement, Alex!
[ESPN]
