Early in Alex Rodriguez’s tenure with the Yankees, I noticed that when he reached first base he would exaggerate a body spin to look at where the outfielders were stationed, often lifting fingers like small pistols toward each position.
My hunch was Rodriguez was trying to show he was not just a great player, but a smart one, checking outfield position to best know what to do on the bases. My hunch was corroborated by a few teammates.
So one day alone with A-Rod, I asked if he had ever sat courtside to see Michael Jordan. He had.