Alex Rodriguez stepped up in the bottom of the ninth with the game on the line, the bat in his hands and the crowd ready to cheer or boo him based on his performance -- not his use of performance-enhancing drugs.
That's apparently what he should expect from Yankees fans based on his return to the Bronx for the first time since acknowledging his drug use. Rodriguez was offered a warm reception before his first at-bat in his debut at the new Yankee Stadium -- which had been delayed by his recovery from hip surgery.
"It was just nice," A-Rod said of the fan reaction after the Yankees' 5-4 comeback win over the Twins. "From early on in batting practice, just walking around the city. The fans have been very gracious."
Of course, that graciousness will take Rodriguez only so far. After he struck out with the bases loaded in the third, the fans booed him as loudly as ever.
Had Rodriguez ended the Yankees' ninth-inning rally with a double play instead of extended it with his fourth walk, he likely would have been booed even louder.
Which means Rodriguez is getting the fresh start he sought -- in a way. Like so many other players who have cheated the game, it appears Rodriguez will be taunted by opposing fans and embraced by his home crowd -- as long as he hits.
YANKEES 5, TWINS 4: The Yankees scored three times in the ninth off Twins closer Joe Nathan and Melky Cabrera knocked a two-out, two-run single to left to give the Yankees a come-from-behind win. Two home runs by Justin Morneau and a solo shot by Joe Mauer had led Minnesota to a 4-2 lead as the Twins seemed set to spoil Alex Rodriguez's debut at the new Yankee Stadium. But the Yankees, who had gotten homers from Derek Jeter and Brett Gardner (inside-the-park) rallied in the ninth before Cabrera notched his second walk-off hit of the season.
