PHOENIX (AP) -Dodgers manager Joe Torre caught only a few highlights of Alex Rodriguez’s news conference in which he answered questions about banned drugs.
The former Yankees manager wasn’t surprised by the commotion in Tampa, Fla., or that Rodriguez was supported by a large contingent of teammates.
“For New York, it’s run-of-the-mill stuff,” Torre said Wednesday. “I don’t want to make light of it, but as far as distractions and stuff going on in spring training and during the season, it’s what happens there on a regular basis.
“I just know how important his baseball is to Alex. I hope he handles it all right. It’s all uncharted waters right now. I know one thing, and it’s evidenced by how many players and staff were there – that’s what the Yankees are all about. That will help him more than anything else.”
Rodriguez is the youngest player to surpass the 500-home run plateau and is baseball’s highest-paid player. Torre said fans will hold the slugger to greater scrutiny than they did Jason Giambi and Andy Pettitte and their drug cases.
because the expectations are so high. I certainly didn’t have this in mind when I was telling him that. But he’s a big boy, and he’s certainly called attention to himself by the way he’s played the game and how much money he makes.
“The rest of the stuff has to go with that.”
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