NEW YORK — The New York Yankees sent Alex Rodriguez into retirement Friday night with a touching and personal gift the slugger has long desired.
Minutes before the first pitch of Rodriguez’s final game in a Yankees uniform, the team presented him with a centaur, the half-human, half-horse creature that has always filled Rodriguez with wonder and delight.
“Oh, my god! No way!” Rodriguez exclaimed as soon as his gift trotted out onto the field and stood atop the pitcher’s mount, pawing at the dirt. “Seriously?! Thanks you, guys! This is the best!”
A beaming A-Rod then approached the centaur.