A-Rod takes pride at being 40 and still playing in majors

New York Yankees’ Alex Rodriguez. AP FILE PHOTO

ARLINGTON, Texas, United States— Alex Rodriguez says there is a certain amount of pride being 40 years old and still playing the major leagues.

A-Rod marked his 40th birthday Monday night in the New York Yankees’ series opener at the Texas Rangers, the team that gave him his first huge contract.

READ: Returning Alex Rodriguez meets with Yankees, apologizes for actions

Rodriguez says there was a time when hitting home runs and being a great player were all that mattered, and that the more homers he hit “would justify for whatever behavior” he had off the field.

He didn’t specifically mention his season-long suspension last year for violations of baseball’s drug agreement and labor contract.

He says this year has been a nice reminder that good things can happen playing clean and working hard.