Rodriguez denies quad injury is attempt to be like Jeter

NEW YORK, NY — New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez left Sunday’s 7-1 win over the Baltimore Orioles with a strained quad, but the All-Star denies accusations that his injury is merely an impersonation of teammate Derek Jeter.

Jeter, the team’s shortstop, strained his groin legging out a ground ball in an April 7 game against the Tampa Bay Rays. Rodriguez strained his quad while attempting to beat out an infield single. Many teammates were immediately suspicious after the third baseman left the game.

“For one thing, I’ve never seen him running hard on a ground ball like that,” said catcher Jorge Posada. “Of course, if I was making a gazillion dollars a year, I probably wouldn’t feel the need to hustle either. Either way, I’m pretty sure he’s just trying to be like Jeter.”

Jeter and Rodriguez have been viewed by many as being less than friendly since the latter’s arrival in New York prior to the 2004 season. Rodriguez, who moved from shortstop to third base to accommodate Jeter, has generally been portrayed as a number-hungry prima donna who can’t deliver in the clutch, while Jeter has been viewed as the consummate teammate, leader, and winner.

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Both players have denied that there is any major tension between them, even as the New York media has played up what seems to be an icy relationship. Now, many within the Yankees’ organization are viewing Rodriguez’s injury as a ploy to gain favor with the media and his teammates.

“Everyone knows he wants to be Derek,” said one Yankee, who spoke on condition of anonymity. “First, he wants to be a ladies’ man like Derek – but instead of finding a hot celebrity or two, he gets seen with some skanky stripper. And then instead of imitating Jeter’s propensity to make huge plays when they matter most, he imitates his leg injury. Pathetic, but typical.”

Rodriguez, for his part, denies that his injury is fake, and insists that any similarities to Jeter are completely natural and coincidental.

“Frankly, I’m offended that anyone would imply that I’m doing anything simply for the media, or trying to appear to be anything other than simply what I am,” said Rodriguez, clearly feigning great offense. “Can I help it that Derek and I have a similar complexion? Or that both of our sculpted frames are the objects of desire of women all over the country? And Canada? No, I can’t help these things.

“So when I decide to hustle out a ground ball, and I just so happen to hurt myself in a similar way to Derek, and we just so happen to have to be treatment partners and sit next to each other in the training room, why does everyone assume I’m doing it on purpose? It’s ridiculous.”