[新聞] SERBY'S SUNDAY Q&A WITH...A-ROD
http://0rz.net/a71zR
July 2, 2006 -- The Post's Steve Serby chatted this past week with Yankees
third baseman Alex Rodriguez about the joys of fatherhood, the booing he's
received recently at the Stadium, and much more:
Q: If Omar Minaya were Mets GM years ago, do you think you might have been a
Met?
A: Yes. My interest to play in New York was strong. Omar Minaya would have
made it happen.
Q: Would you pay to see Alex Rodriguez play?
A: Definitely.
Q: Why?
A: Because of great talent, and a hard worker and ... that's it.
Q: How is fatherhood different from what you expected?
A: It's changed my whole world. It's been the happiest and most-rewarding
thing God's ever given me and my wife. I never knew how you were so
non-important and so secondary to a child. Before, everything was about us or
what we wanted to do. Now, you think about yourself third or fourth.
Q: Do you change diapers?
A: Yes, but I'm not good at it.
Q: How did you propose to your wife (Cynthia)?
A: I took her to a restaurant in Miami Beach that we went to on our first
date. Then I went down on one knee and asked her.
Q: What was going on in your life that prompted you to seek therapy?
A: I started when I was 18. I had a very complex childhood, and when I met my
wife, because she has a master's in psychology, she promoted me into getting
help. It really has helped. I'm not healed yet, but I'm working on some
issues I had as a child.
Q: In what way has it helped?
A: It's helped me look in the mirror and understand who I am. Every day I
work at it ... it's not easy. But these are things that take a lifetime to
heal and, hopefully, I get it done someday.
Q: What one thing would you want to change about yourself?
A: Be more content with where I am, both on and off the field. I'm never
happy with my performance. I just hope that as I get older, I calm down and
enjoy the moment, enjoy the great gifts that God has given me.
Q: I sense it's not easy for you to trust.
A: I don't trust anyone, except a very, very few people.
Q: What is your relationship with Derek Jeter?
A: There's a lot of mutual respect. I admire Derek a lot, not only for what
he does on the field but how he's been able to handle New York for so many
years.
Q: What have you learned about Jeter as a teammate that you didn't know?
A: Derek and I go back almost 12 years, and he is such a fierce competitor.
Q: Best and worst part about being Alex Rodriguez?
A: The best part is being a father to my daughter (19-month-old) Natasha
Alexander. I don't really think there's a worst part. God put me in a
situation ... good and bad, trials and tribulations ... because He knows
there's a lesson to be learned.
Q: How do you get away from baseball?
A: My family, and I read a lot.
Q: Favorite book?
A: I read a lot of business books, but I really enjoy "The Winner Within" by
Pat Riley and "Straight From the Gut" by Jack Welch.
Q: Do you think there's a shot for a Subway Series this season?
A: Sure. The Mets right now are one of the best teams in baseball. That would
be a great thrill for the whole city.
Q: The first time you saw Yankee Stadium?
A: Overwhelmed. I sat way up there (upper deck between home and third) and
watched Donnie Baseball and ... just thrilled. 'Cause I couldn't really
afford to come to games, but somehow we were able to afford these tickets.
Q: How old were you?
A: About 8.
Q: Favorite childhood memory?
A: Counting my mom's money when she was a waitress. Any time we got to $50,
that was a great night. That was usually on Friday and Saturday (smiles).
Q: Worst childhood memory?
A: Not having my parents around because they were working - so not having
them at my games.
Q: What chance does Alex Rodriguez have to break baseball's all-time home run
record?
A: With the good Lord guiding me and giving me the health, anything's
possible. I just don't know if I want to play that long (chuckles).
Q: Can you see yourself playing at 40?
A: I'm gonna finish this contract and decide what I want to do. I don't see
myself playing anywhere but New York.
Q: What is the unique trait it takes to play in New York?
A: Thick skin. You have to love the game and competition.
Q: Do you think this recent booing experience has hardened you?
A: I think it's gonna make me stronger and prepare me for the second half to,
hopefully, our championship season.
Q: Has playing in New York been what you thought it would be?
A: It's been better because it brings out the best in you. If New York
doesn't break you, it's gonna make you a stronger person and a better player.
Q: Are you driven by the fact you have a chance to become the greatest player
of all time?
A: The No. 1 thing that drives me is winning. That's why I gave up the things
I gave up to come here. All my concessions were based on being an integral
part of helping the team win a world championship.
Q: How does your wife deal with you being a sex symbol?
A: (Laughs) I'm the one that got lucky with a great catch (smiles).
Q: How many marriage proposals do you get in the mail every week?
A: I got a lot when I was a young boy in Seattle and I was single. I think
everybody knows that I'm married with a baby girl.
Q: What do you miss about playing shortstop?
A: The angle, being able to see the whole perspective of the signs, the
catcher, both managers. You're like the point guard.
Q: The criticism of you that bothers you the most?
A: It's all fair game.
Q: Joe Torre?
A: The Godfather (smiles).
Q: Lou Piniella?
A: Like a father. The greatest teacher of the game I ever had.
Q: Buck Showalter?
A: Most prepared baseball man I've been around.
Q: What is walking around Manhattan like?
A: Miami and New York are my favorite cities in the world. I love the vibe
and energy.
Q: The first time you met George Steinbrenner?
A: Just excited to meet him. He exudes a lot of pride, and you can just tell
the Yankees mean the world to him.
Q: Hitters you study?
A: Edgar Martinez. (Manny) Ramirez. (Albert) Pujols.
Q: How did you become close with Reggie Jackson?
A: I respect and admire what he's done. But, more than anything, I admire his
intelligence and what he has to offer, his experience.
Q: If I were president, I would ...?
A: Help the poor more.
Q: If I were baseball commissioner, I would ...?
A: Start postseason games earlier. And I would take a note from David Stern
and promote kids to go to college prior to the age of 19.
Q: Should baseball celebrate if Barry Bonds breaks Hank Aaron's home-run
record?
A: Everyone's innocent until proven guilty. They should celebrate and assume
everything's done the right way ... until told otherwise.
Q: Three wishes?
A: Health, wisdom and health.
Q: Three dinner guests?
A: Lou Gehrig, Warren Buffett and Madonna. That's an eclectic group.
Q: Madonna?
A: I'd ask her how she's been able to sustain such greatness for so long.
Three decades ... unbelievable.
Q: Merrill Lynch, Colgate Palmolive, Loews - what are your other two favorite
stocks?
A: Microsoft and Berkshire Hathaway.
Q: Favorite athlete outside baseball?
A: Dan Marino.
Q: Did you go to your senior prom?
A: I missed it because of an all-star game.
Q: On a scale of 1-10, rate your dancing ability.
A: One (smiles).
Q: Best-dressed Yankee?
A: Mariano [Rivera].
Q: How would you describe your dress style?
A: Boring, but elegant (chuckles).
Q: Funniest Yankee?
A: Jaret Wright.
Q: Playing behind Mariano?
A: Most impressive athlete I've been around in every way: person, leader,
competitor. It's a true thrill to play behind him.
Q: How good can David Wright become?
A: He can be a Hall of Famer.
Q: How good can Jose Reyes become?
A: You love to see guys come up, play the game the right way, young, excited.
David Wright might be the MVP of the National League but Reyes has kinda
thrown his hat in there, too.
Q: Best piece of advice from your mother?
A: Don't ever let anyone outwork you.
Q: Favorite movie?
A: "Wall Street."
Q: Favorite actor?
A: Michael Douglas.
Q: Favorite actress?
A: Demi Moore.
Q: Favorite singer?
A: Madonna.
Q: Favorite meal?
A: Pasta with chicken.
Q: Best dish at Campagnola?
A: Pasta combination with a steak.
Q: What would you want to say to Yankee fans about you and this team?
A: We're working as hard as we possibly can. We will never cheat the New York
fans, and this is a bunch to be very proud of.
--
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