Did Alex Rodriguez pick this up from master media manipulator Madonna? With a phalanx of reporters and photographers covering his every move at World Baseball Championship training camp in Jupiter, Florida yesterday, the Yankees sluggers showed off his daddy side as his ex-wife Cynthia Rodriguez bought their two young daughters—Natasha, 4, and Ella, 10 months— for a visit. And it was unusual:
- "Rodriguez was the only player who visited so visibly with his children, the only player who had at least one crisis manager trolling the back fields of Roger Dean Stadium, and the only player who had to answer questions about meeting with major league officials on Sunday." —NY Times
- "No other players, of course, arrived with their children at this practice, but no other player has been in the steroid storm like A-Rod. A few players cast curious eyes when they first spotted the scene as cameras clicked away, but his new teammates clearly embraced Rodriguez." —NY Post
- "A-Rod was the only one with his family at the workout, and his teammates seemed bewildered by the whole scene"—Newsday, which also noted that after A-Rod picked up 4-year-old daughter Natasha, "The pair immediately was surrounded by photographers and his daughter seemed upset by the crush."
A-Rod also said of his kids, who he sees a least once a week, "I wish they were around every day."
Aw—but back to his steroid usage controversy. Rodriguez said he was glad to have his MLB meeting behind him. And Katie Couric, who famously asked A-Rod about steroid in 2007 and got a denial, told David Letterman that Rodriguez apologized to her—both calling her and sending her a hand-delivered note to her apartment. She added that A-Rod even asked her what team he should sign with during his opt-out period.
