Yankees honor Alex Rodriguez for reaching 3,000 career hits

For all the buildup, speculation and drama, A-Rod Day was rather subdued.

There were no white chairs, no plaques and no thunderous ovations. No retired legends graced the field, and only a small contingent of fans arrived early to show their support.

The Yankees nonetheless honored Alex Rodriguez and his 3,000-hit milestone Sunday with a 10-minute pregame ceremony before the series finale against the Blue Jays — one that lacked the typical excitement of a Stadium celebration.

The tribute started with a video documenting some of the most memorable hits of A-Rod’s career, including his 3,000th, which came on an opposite-field home run against the Tigers on June 19. Rodriguez is the 29th player in major league history to amass at least 3,000 hits in a career.

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After the video, A-Rod walked to home plate from the dugout with his daughters, Natasha and Ella. Rodriguez’s mother, Lourdes Navarro, brother Joe Dunand and sister Suzy Dunand also joined him on the field.

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Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner (r.) presents a gift of 3,000-hit diamond rings to Alex Rodriguez.

“I’m incredibly grateful to the Steinbrenners. First class all the way,” said Rodriguez, who went 2-for-4 with an RBI and scored a run with a headfirst slide into home. “It’s rare for me that I get to celebrate a day with my mother and my two daughters, manager, teammates, and obviously the fans of New York.”

With the family on the field, the team played a message from former Yankees and Mariners manager Lou Piniella on the Jumbotron.

“Alex, congratulations on your 3,000th hit,” Piniella said. “It’s a great milestone and a tremendous accomplishment, and Anita and I are so proud. As you know, we consider you part of our family. Continue to do well and help the Yankees win a pennant.”

Later, Chief Operating Officer Lonn Trost presented Rodriguez with a handcrafted vase commemorating the achievement. Managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner, meanwhile, gifted A-Rod with a 14-karat 3,000-hit diamond ring with similar ring-top pendants for Natasha and Ella.

Before the game, each player had a commemorative wine bottle waiting at his locker.

TIL TUESDAY

Right-hander Adam Warren is tentatively scheduled to start Tuesday’s game in Tampa as long as he isn’t forced to pitch in relief Monday.

Warren’s last start came on June 25. He threw 47 pitches in 2.2 innings out of the bullpen in Wednesday’s loss to the Orioles.

“I feel like I’ll be able to adjust pretty easily,” Warren said. “Just looking forward to it and excited to get back out there as a starter.”

TULO COULD RETURN

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Alex Rodriguez takes the field with daughters Ella and Natasha.

There is a “chance” Troy Tulowitzki returns to the Blue Jays this season, Toronto GM Alex Anthopoulos said Sunday.

The team is “cautiously optimistic” that Tulowitzki, who suffered a small crack in his shoulder blade colliding with center fielder Kevin Pillar in a win over the Yankees on Saturday, could be back in game action in two to three weeks.

However, Anthopoulos expects Tulowitzki to have some marginal discomfort in the shoulder if his shortstop does return in that near future.

“He could be back for October,” Anthopoulos said. “Hopefully we’re playing at that time.”