Alex Rodriguez says "not too many people like me"

NEW YORK — Alex Rodriguez says he has "given up" hoping to be widely liked, accepting that many people he does not know well simply do not care for him personally.

"I've given up on that; it's just the way it is," the New York Yankees' third baseman told Yankees Entertainment and Sports network's Michael Kay in an interview recorded earlier this month that debuted Tuesday night on the network's preseason special.

"I mean, look, I feel like right now that not too many people like me, so I've given up on that. As long as my teammates like me, and they respect me, and my two daughters love their daddy, I'm going to go out and do the very best I can. Look, I really screwed up, and for that I'm sorry."

Also in the interview, recorded before his hip surgery, Rodriguez said had no interest in seeing the names of the 103 other players who tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs in 2003 become public.

"Well, this is really about my mistake, Michael," ex-Mariner Rodriguez said. "You know, many nights I fell asleep thinking about who I can blame, and this guy, or that guy. And when I woke up, I kept coming back to the same person; it's me. I mean, there's no one to blame. I hope those 103 names never come out."

Kay asked Rodriguez what he would say to fans he has disappointed.

"I know there's kids out there that I've never met before, and I probably never will, that I've hurt them, and for that I'm very sorry," he said.

Notes

• A 2-month-old is back in the arms of her parents, and the wife of a top Pittsburgh minor-league prospect is suspected of taking the infant from a health clinic outside Tampa, Fla., authorities said.

Amalia Tabata Pereira, 43, was being questioned by Florida detectives in Manatee County, where the girl was found unharmed Tuesday afternoon, a day after she was taken from the clinic. Bill McDaniel, chief of police in Plant City, Fla., said authorities are looking to charge Pereira with false imprisonment. She is the wife of Jose Tabata, 20, an outfielder and one of the prime prospects for the Pirates, who train in Bradenton, Fla., which is in the county where the infant was found. In a statement, Pirates president Frank Coonelly said they have received "no indication that Jose is believed to have had any involvement in this matter."

Sandra Cruz-Francisco was taken from her mother, Rosa Sirilo-Francisco, by a woman her family only knew as "Janet," Plant City police said. Investigators believe Janet and Pereira are likely the same person, authorities said.

• The Oakland Athletics and manager Bob Geren, 47, agreed on a one-year contract extension, with a team option for 2011. Geren is 151-172 in two years with the A's after being promoted from bench coach in November 2006.

• Fausto Carmona showed no adverse affects of being hit in the arm by a line drive Thursday, pitching five scoreless innings for the Cleveland Indians in a 2-2, 10-inning tie with the Chicago White Sox in Goodyear, Ariz.

"I was scared when it happened, but I'm fine," Carmona said.

• Shortstop Derek Jeter, back from playing for the U.S. team in the World Baseball Classic, started for the Yankees and went 1 for 2 in a 7-1 victory over the Boston Red Sox in Tampa.

• Chase Utley hit his first home run since hip surgery in November and Chan Ho Park made his latest bid for a rotation spot, helping champion Philadelphia rally past Toronto 7-6 in Dunedin, Fla. In four innings, Park gave up three runs on four hits, striking out seven.

Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels, the most valuable player in the World Series, made his first start since experiencing elbow tightness last week. He threw 3-2/3 scoreless innings in a minor-league game against Pittsburgh prospects in Clearwater, Fla.

Hamels struck out five of the 13 batters he faced. Pitching coach Rich Dubee indicated Hamels is unlikely to be ready for the regular-season opener.

• Kansas City manager Trey Hillman said ex-Mariners pitcher Gil Meche will start the April 6 opener against the White Sox in Chicago.

• George Kell, a Hall of Fame third baseman who edged Ted Williams for the 1949 American League batting title and became a Detroit Tigers broadcaster for nearly 40 years, died at his home in Swifton, Ark. He was 86.

Kell played in the majors from 1943 to 1957, hitting at least .300 nine times and compiling a career average of .306. He was a 10-time All-Star.