It’s no secret that Alex Rodriguez and his dynamics with the New York Yankees have been through plenty of highs and lows. While the Dominican helped the team reach great heights and even clench the 2009 championship, things hit rock bottom after A-rod wrestled against a PED fiasco. Then, the suspension debacle came on and the rumors that the Yankees hurried Rodriguez off their roster, added more to the drama. There was also a time when he filed a case against the team’s doctor and wanted to sue the team. Hence, Alex didn’t leave on the greatest of terms.

But lately, there has been a shift in the air, and it seems to indicate that things are mending between the team and Alex Rodriguez. Recently, A-Rod was enjoying a lovely date with his girlfriend Jaclyn Cordeiro and he shared beautiful pictures. But while the backdrop was stunning with the sun setting, them by the deck, and enjoying the time, there was one thing most couldn’t overlook. The former Yankee player was watching the game on the date and not just watching it, he even shared stories about it! 

Alex Rodriguez’s love for the Yankees

While mostly everyone’s date time idea includes their favorite choice of drink and maybe a cheese platter or a pizza—for the Yankee icon it’s enjoying the game. Rodriguez, alongside his girlfriend Jaclyn Cordeiro, kicked back on the deck, taking in a Yankees game—putting those swirling rumors of tension between him and the team on hold. Moreover, we all saw the real bond during the Old-Timers event!

The New York Yankees had organized their Old Timers event and this time Alex Rodriguez, for the very first time, was attending the event. A-Rod said he was ‘surprised’ he was invited—which says a lot about his previously sour relationship with the team. However, he was at the event, and most of all, he was enjoying it. Plus, he even bonded over a friend, a prior teammate turned nemesis.

At the event, one of the most notable things was the dynamic between Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter. Their relationship goes way back and they knew each other from their college days. But while they had a great friendship, the game came in between and things turned sideways. But at the event, Rodriguez was not just talking to Derek Jeter, they even shared a fun banter where Captain Clutch mentioned how A-Rod wears his jersey at home all the time. That statement, while just made in passing, seemed to be Derek Jeter’s message that A-Rod, no matter what the circumstance, values his team. And now, Alex Rodriguez himself sharing pictures of watching the game during a date night indicates that, indeed, it is true.

David Cone comes in support of Rodriguez 

Alex Rodriguez, when he first got that invitation, was surprised, but glad to be honored by the team he won his only title in. He rushed to tell his daughters Natasha and Ella about it. And when he was at the Yankee stadium, he said, “It’s nice to be back in the fold.” However, soon the question of him being honored in the monument park was posed. And why not? Statistically, Rodriguez is undoubtedly a Yankees legend, ranking eighth all-time in fWAR and sixth in home runs. He was also a key player in the 2009 championship run. But then, the suspension for PED use and his lawsuit against the team’s doctor made things complicated. 

While no information or update has come from the team, A-Rod’s team members and colleagues have come up to support him. At the event, YES Network’s David Cone was certain No. 13 belonged in Monument Park.  Cone thinks that Rodriguez has owned up to his mistakes and that the franchise should include him in their history. “I’m one who believes that things like Monument Park and the Hall of Fame are meant to document the history of the game. A-Rod is a big part of the history. I believe that you have to cover that part of it. You just can’t take a brush and make people disappear as if they didn’t exist, or they didn’t have that incredible history. I think the fans would like to see it. If you took a fan poll, he would overwhelmingly get support,” he said. 

Now, some of the other notable characters of the franchise also think that A-Rod deserves a place at the monument park. As far as Rodriguez, he said, “I would love to be in. But obviously, that’s not my decision. I honor everything about the New York Yankees.” But what do you think? Does he deserve that place or is it too much for the team to overlook? Let us know in the comments.