Report: Alex Rodriguez Runs Into Hank Aaron at New York Restaurant, Says Former Slugger is an ‘Inspiration to Me’

Sometimes the stories just write themselves.

Alex Rodriguez recently had a chance encounter at a New York restaurant with a baseball legend whom the Yankees slugger happens to be chasing in the record books. A-Rod had a brush with one-time home run king Hank Aaron at a restaurant called Nobu, according the NY Post’s Page Six, and Rodriguez approached Aaron to introduce himself.

“Mr. Aaron, I just wanted to introduce myself,” Rodriguez reportedly said. “I think about you every day when I play. You’re an inspiration to me.”

In case Hammerin’ Hank didn’t recognize the Yankees third baseman, Rodriguez added, “My name is Alex Rodriguez.”

A-Rod is just 101 home runs behind Aaron in the record books for career homers, a fact that many baseball fans take umbrage to because Rodriguez previously admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs. Rodriguez was dealt a historic suspension stemming from Major League Baseball’s Biogenesis investigation, but because he is in the process of appealing that suspension, A-Rod has been able to suit up for a number of games this season.

Earlier this month, Rodriguez broke Lou Gehrig‘s 75-year-old grand slam record with his 24th career blast.

Right photo via Wikimedia Commons