NEW YORK -- Mother Nature put a damper on Alex Rodriguez's pregame ceremony.
He was always a lightning rod, after all.
Rodriguez's tribute before his final game with the New York Yankees on Friday night lasted just five minutes due to a massive thunder and lightning storm.
No. 13 came out of the dugout at 7:02 p.m. to a loud ovation. But by 7:07 p.m. he and his special guests were heading for cover -- along with the rest of the Yankee Stadium crowd.
The ceremony began with a short video tribute of his career highlights, as ominous dark clouds moved over the ballpark.