BOSTON — The Yankees’ most recent trip to Fenway Park was highlighted by a gushing farewell to Derek Jeter as he played the final games of his career.
This time around, the scene figures to be considerably different.
Instead of Jeter saying goodbye, Alex Rodriguez will be reintroducing himself to Red Sox fans on Friday.
And to make things even more dramatic, if Rodriguez hits a home run during the three-game series, he’ll tie Willie Mays at 660 for fourth on the all-time list.
“I’m excited,” Rodriguez said after Wednesday’s loss to the Rays in The Bronx. “I love playing at Fenway. It’s a fun place to play. They have great fans, and I have a lot of respect for the Red Sox.’’
The feeling, at least from the fans, isn’t mutual.
It will be Rodriguez’s first time back to Fenway since 2013, when in August he was hit by Ryan Dempster and, in September, went 1-for-8 during a three-game sweep that all but ended whatever postseason hopes that remained for the Yankees.
General manager Brian Cashman said he didn’t know what Rodriguez would be in store for this weekend.
“I have no idea,” Cashman said. “I can’t speak to what’s going to happen there, but we’re happy with what he’s done for us so far. He’s been productive and a good teammate.”
Rodriguez, though, has struggled of late.
Ending the most recent homestand with an 0-for-6 day, Rodriguez saved the Yankees the trouble of dealing with him tying Mays at Yankee Stadium and triggering a potential battle over the $6 million marketing bonus in Rodriguez’s contract that team sources believe is void because of his admittance to PED use.
The Red Sox, according to a statement, said they don’t have anything planned if Rodriguez reaches 660 while at Fenway.
“The fans’ response will be our response,” said Dr. Charles Steinberg, senior adviser to the president/CEO of the club. “We hadn’t contemplated any more elaborate plans.”
Before Wednesday’s loss at the Stadium, manager Joe Girardi said he hoped Rodriguez would get to the mark before the road trip.
“It just might crowd our clubhouse a little bit more if he doesn’t,” the manager said of how prolonging the Mays chase might affect his team. “But it doesn’t matter either way. I’d prefer he does it with two or three guys on [Wednesday] and gets it over with.”
Instead, Rodriguez barely made contact against Tampa Bay, striking out four times and hitting into a game-ending double play.
Afterward, Rodriguez declined to get into much detail about his thoughts on going to Boston.
“Our goal continues to be the same,” Rodriguez said. “Go to Boston, win a series.”
Fair enough. His teammates were a bit more elaborative.
“I think his reception will be more noticeable than mine,” said Andrew Miller, who pitched for the Red Sox and returned to Fenway after being traded to the Orioles last season. “He’s done so well so far, he’s the least of my concerns. … I hope he gets a home run because that means we’re scoring runs. I’m looking forward to it.”
CC Sabathia said the team would be pulling for him, regardless of where it occurs.
“I haven’t been close to too many milestones like this,” Sabathia said. “We’re all excited for him.”