LET'S PAY BALL!(sports) (Brief Article)

• Author: Olney, Buster

Has S252 million gone to Alex Rodriguez's head?

In an exhibition game this past spring, Alex Rodriguez walked onto the field to stretch with his new Texas Rangers teammates as the New York Yankees' Derek Jeter quietly took batting practice. Coincidentally, the public-address system blared the theme song from Friends: "I'll be there for you ..."

But this season, everybody is wondering if the two star shortstops are still friends. Rodriguez's record $252 million, 10-year contract may have disrupted their famous bond. Only they know how strong it is now, how deep it was before, and exactly why Rodriguez dissed Jeter in the off-season.

In a magazine article, Rodriguez said Jeter had never had to lead on a four-time champion Yankees team loaded with talent. And in a radio interview, he predicted Jeter wouldn't match his money, saying Jeter didn't hit or field as well as he did. Jeter ended up signing a 10-year contract for $189 million, second only to Rodriguez's. While Jeter has said the two remain buds, he did not exactly laugh it all off.

Maybe Rodriguez isn't in his right mind after his big...