Alex Rodriguez’s Old-Timers’ Day return could pave way for Monument Park

Of course the responses were mixed.

This is Alex Rodriguez, the star-crossed slugger with a history of performance-enhancing drugs and a convoluted legacy.

Yankee luminaries Lou Piniella and David Cone believe he deserves a plaque in Monument Park.

Former teammates CC Sabathia and Jorge Posada took the easy way out, declining to share their opinions, saying that decision was not up to them.

Perhaps this was the first step, A-Rod’s first official trip back to The Bronx as a Yankee during Old-Timer’s Day on Saturday afternoon, to make it happen.

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“I was actually surprised that I got an invitation — honored, honored,” Rodriguez said. “Very happy, I told my daughter right away. It’s a great thrill.

“It is my first time back and I’m excited to be back. I’m very proud of my time in New York and I’m very proud to be a part of a championship team.”

Rodriguez spent 12 seasons as a Yankee.

He was a pivotal part of the 2009 championship team — the last group to win it all in pinstripes.

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In his time here, he batted .283 with 351 home runs, 1,096 RBIs and a .900 OPS.

He won two of his three MVPs as a Yankee and was selected to seven All-Star games.

There were also numerous postseason failures, highlighted by the epic 2004 ALCS when the Yankees blew a 3-0 series lead to the Red Sox.

Rodriguez was suspended for the entire 2014 season for his role in the Biogenesis steroids scandal.

It was the second time he was busted for performance-enhancing drugs. During that time, he was at odds with Yankees higher-ups, threatening to sue the team at one point.

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He had a love/hate relationship with fans, who alternated between cheering and booing him.

Still, “FORG1V3” shirts were sold on Opening Day of 2015 and he was given a standing ovation by The Bronx crowd when he left the field for his final game in 2016.

“I think things like Monument Park and the Hall of Fame are meant to document the history of the game,” said Cone, the YES analyst and former Yankee. “A-Rod is a big part of history, so 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 this incredible history. I think the fans would like to see it. If you took a fan poll, he would overwhelmingly get support.”

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When Rodriguez was asked the last time he wore his No. 13 Yankees jersey, Derek Jeter stepped in.

“He wears it at home all the time,” Jeter joked.

Added A-Rod: “I think it was Aug. 12, right here in this room,” referring to his last day as a Yankees player on that day in 2016 before he retired.

In the past, Rodriguez has voiced his displeasure at not being a part of Monument Park, saying “of course it bothers me” in 2023.

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It wasn’t until Joey Gallo came along in 2021 that the number was given out.

He has since become more diplomatic. Asked about it on Saturday, Rodriguez toed the proverbial company line.

“I’ve thought about it. I would love to be in,” he said. “But obviously that’s not my decision.

I honor everything about the New York Yankees, and it would be an honor.”

Monument Park currently has 22 retired numbers and 37 different players have been honored.

The Yankees haven’t exactly been picky, inducting Willie Randolph, Jorge Posada and Paul O’Neill, among others. Rodriguez’s on-field numbers certainly warrant inclusion.

“He was a great Yankee,” current manager Aaron Boone said, “so I think that’s a reasonable request.”