DETROIT — With rumors swirling that Alex Rodriguez's career as a New York Yankee was over, Rodriguez insisted after the postseason loss to Detroit he's not going anywhere.
"No, I don't think so," he said. "I love the big city and I love everything about being a Yankee. The highs are very high and the lows are extremely low. There's no question the last few weeks have been extremely difficult, not only on me but on all my teammates."
Rodriguez hit .111 in the American League Championship Series and was benched the final two games in Detroit. Overall he was three for 25 (.120) in the postseason. Although the Yankees struggled as a whole, Rodriguez took the brunt of the criticism because of his stature and huge salary.
The benching may have stung, but Rodriguez said he understood Manager Joe Girardi's decision to sit him.
"Look, I know it was difficult for Joe," he said. "I know Joe didn't want to sit me. It's something that was not easy. But again, if I do what I do, Joe doesn't have a choice. Neither does [Yankees General Manager Brian] Cashman or anybody. If I am who I know I can be, they'll worry about other guys…. I had plenty of opportunities. I just didn't get it done."