New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez knows a thing or two about making headlines. Now it seems he may have done so involuntarily.
According to an interview with ESPN New York, Rodriguez spoke about the knee procedure he recently underwent. It was the same procedure that Bryant had this summer. In fact, it was Bryant who recommended the procedure to Rodriguez.
However, during the interview, Rodriguez mentioned that Bryant had considered retirement before receiving the new-age surgical procedure in Germany.
“Just a simple dinner with Kobe — Kobe Bryant from the Lakers,” A-Rod said, politely clarifying it wasn’t another Kobe. “He was really adamant about how great the procedure was for him. He was hurting before. He was almost thinking about retirement, that’s how much pain he was in. After he went to Germany and saw [Dr. Peter Wehling], that he felt like a 27-year-old again.”
The interview was supposed to be about Rodriguez’s health heading into the upcoming baseball season, but this was no small piece of news. It was no secret that Bryant’s knee was bothering him, but it was previously unknown that it was bothering him to the point of contemplating retirement.
Bryant’s success this season is a clear indication that the operation did what he needed it to do. Rodriguez is hoping for similar results this year as well.