A-Rod hits historic blast but lets bat do talking

A-Rod hits historic blast but lets bat do talking

Andrew Theodorakis/New York Daily News

Alex Rodriguez finds form by going 3-for-4 in Yankees' home-opening win, including career homer No. 630.

On what Alex Rodriguez called a special day, one on which he tied his former teammate, Ken Griffey Jr., with his 630th home run, he wouldnt speculate about how much higher up the all-time ladder he can climb.

No surprise there. The old A-Rod, the one whose mouth regularly made headlines, has been gone since 2009, the year his steroids revelation humbled him and, perhaps not coincidentally, the year he finally had a big October.

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So he wasnt going anywhere near the questions about catching Willie Mays at 660, Babe Ruth at 714, Hank Aaron at 755 or Barry Bonds at 762. The thing is, he understands the public intrigue perhaps as much as any player because he loves the game, loves to talk at his locker about who's doing what around the majors.

But just as he finally realized how ridiculous he looked kissing himself in the mirror for a photo shoot once upon a time, Rodriguez has come to understand what works for him as a Yankee.

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Ive gotten to where Im just focusing on one day at a time and thinking about winning, was the way he put it after the Yankees 5-0 home-opening victory over the Angels on Friday.

The blue-collar approach is best for me.

Im a fan and I understand its all pretty special but I dont allow myself to be a fan of what Im trying to do.

In truth, his admission of steroid use surely will tarnish any home run chase, yet in a way there is more intrigue regarding A-Rods position these days simply because overtaking Bonds what once looked like a lock has become anything but as injuries have slowed his pursuit and raised questions about how much he has left in the tank.

Still, he would have to average just a shade more than 22 home runs a season over the final six years on his contract to get the 133 hed need to pass Bonds. If he can stay in the lineup thats hardly unreasonable, even if the contract will take him to age 42.

Maybe thats why A-Rod hinted that he believes its still a lock if he can stay healthy. Ive never felt one bit that the game is getting away from me, he said outside the Yankee clubhouse after his press conference on Friday. But when youre hurt, youre hurt. The key for me is just to stay healthy. I feel really good right now. I wouldnt have (stolen se cond) today unless I feel really good. My legs are great. Ive just gotta manage that all year.

With that in mind, A-Rod says he has cut back 50 to 75 on his daily work in the weight room, and focuses on yoga and Pilates instead, concentrating more on flexibility than strength in an effort to avoid injury.

In addition, hitting coach Kevin Long said he backs Rodriguez off regularly now on his batting cage work, from 120 swings a day to 80 or fewer, as a matter of preservation.