CORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP) -The new sign with Alex Rodriguez’s name was affixed to the scoreboard in left field. Miniature bats and popcorn centerpieces adorned the round tables scattered across the diamond, and tiny bags of Cracker Jacks were at each placesetting.
The way Miami coach Jim Morris saw it, there were no shortage of reasons to celebrate.
And the story that shook baseball – that the New York Yankees third baseman took banned substances as a member of the Texas Rangers from 2001-2003 – didn’t change Morris’ thinking.
After a week in the headlines for all the wrong reasons, Rodriguez was the star attraction Friday night at the Miami Hurricanes’ annual baseball banquet. The event was built around the $3.9 million gift for stadium renovations that Rodriguez made to the program in 2003, and having the field renamed “Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field” in his honor.
ony began. “It’s a great day for our program because we’re getting a beautiful ballpark, of course named after Alex Rodriguez. It’s something that’s been in the works for six or seven years. … For me, it’s been a long time waiting and a great day.”
Rodriguez’s admission that he used performance-enhancing drugs came Monday, two days after a Sports Illustrated report that he was on a list of 104 players who tested positive in 2003.
Government officials seized those results a year later and they remain under seal, but Rodriguez’s name was leaked.
Morris – who defends Rodriguez staunchly – calls it unfair that only one of those 104 players is being scrutinized.
“It’s not fair to Alex to pinpoint one guy,” Morris said. “I’m afraid I wouldn’t want to see the list, but at the same time, I don’t think it’s fair to pinpoint one guy.”
University officials said Rodriguez would not be available to reporters, and requests to speak with Miami players were declined as well. Rodriguez made the decision that he, as was planned all along, would go ahead and address the 500 guests who paid $75 a seat to attend the event.
School officials said a few alumni have complained about Rodriguez’s name attached to the park, but Morris said the overwhelming majority of boosters and others support the gesture.
or the Hurricanes.
Rodriguez committed to Miami when coming out of South Florida’s Westminster Christian High, but didn’t enroll. Only a few hours before fall classes began at Miami in August 1993, Rodriguez signed his first professional contract with the Seattle Mariners, who lured him away from the Hurricanes with a $1.3 million deal.
A decade later, Rodriguez gave three times that much back to Miami, and has been close with Morris and the program for more than 15 years.
Even with the steroid cloud this week, Rodriguez was on the field that bears his name for several workouts, under the morning sun.
“He’s the hardest worker I’ve ever seen,” Morris said. “The guy’s out here every day, running, lifting, taking ground balls, hitting, trying to get ready to be the best player he can. I know, ultimately, what Alex represents and how hard he’s worked.”
One of Morris’ favorite stories is how Rodriguez acknowledges sneaking into Miami games as a kid.
“I think he’s probably overpaid a little bit for back admission,” Morris said.
His donation, the largest ever to the Hurricanes’ baseball program, allowed for the building of a new clubhouse, weight room, training room, team meeting room, academic center, video room, press box and four VIP luxury suites. Most of the work is complete, but all the various projects are not yet done.
Other improvements in recent years included new dugouts and improved stadium lighting, restrooms and concession areas.
Miami’s first game in the renamed park is Feb. 20 against Rutgers, the start of a four-game series. Through a spokesman, Rutgers coach Fred Hill refused to address Friday whether having Rodriguez’s name on the stadium added any significance of the trip to his team.
Add A Comment