BOSTON — Alex Rodriguez did it his way.
He always does.
As boos came ringing down from the 35,444 fans at Fenway Park on Friday night, pinch-hitter Alex Rodriguez decided to soak it all in and took some extra practice swings with one out in the eighth inning of a 2-2 game.
The steroid-stained slugger loves playing the villain, he loves playing here.
When A-Rod got into the box, he waited patiently, getting ahead of Red Sox right-handed reliever Junichi Tazawa, 3-0. Even though Rodriguez was in a 5-for-37 slump, he had Tazawa, Yankees management and the Fenway Park crowd all right where he wanted them.
Green light. Rocket. Over the Green Monster. Mr. 660.
“That’s the way to do it,’’ teammate Chris Young told The Post after the Yankees held an impromptu champagne celebration for A-Rod’s 660th home run. “I don’t know if I’ve seen a ball hit harder this season. I’m really happy for him, what he has done is amazing.’’
Home run No. 660 is in the record books, tying the great Willie Mays for fourth-most in baseball history.
Rodriguez pranced around the bases and when he toe-tapped home plate, making the home run official, the bench was in full celebration of the blast that eventually gave the Yankees a significant 3-2 victory over the Red Sox.
The Yankees are disputing the $6 million marketing bonus for No. 660, but there is no disputing the enormity of the home run in the Yankees’ battle for first place.
“It’s always special to do it in a winning situation late in the game,’’ A-Rod said. “There was a lot of irony to it. This whole thing has been like a dream.’’
Was there a point where he thought this day would never come?
“Yeah, a lot,’’ Rodriguez admitted. “I was in a cave in Miami serving my time. To be here today with you guys, with the fans, my teammates, I am very thankful to the Yankees and Major League Baseball for allowing me to play this game.
“Any time you are sandwiched between Willie Mays and Babe Ruth, it’s pretty special.’’
Manager Joe Girardi decided not to start Rodriguez, opting for Garrett Jones. Jones was hitless, so it was time for Girardi to go to A-Rod — and he delivered the first pinch-hit home run of his career.
“I got emotional there,’’ Rodriguez said. “I was thinking about my girls, I was wondering if they were sleeping back home, all the folks that stayed with me through the last few years.”
He hit five home runs in April and has started May off with a bang.
Yes, his career home run total is tainted by steroids, but it is the fourth-highest total in baseball history.
The Yankees are going to need A-Rod. He knows that and has proven it already. In the last two years, essentially without A-Rod, the Yankees finished 12 games back of first place in the AL East.
Now, they are in first place.
Write the milestone check, Yankees.
Mays congratulated A-Rod, saying in a statement: “Milestones are meant to be broken. I wish him continued success throughout his career.’’
“I think about my father and wish he were alive to see this and to hear what Willie said,’’ Rodriguez said of Mays’ comment. “I love Willie. He is one of my heroes. I don’t know, I’m speechless.’’
Remember, we don’t get to pick who breaks those records, those milestones. We only get to watch and enjoy the chase.
Barry Bonds is the all-time home run king, not Hank Aaron. A lot of people don’t like that, but that’s the way it is.
You can argue Rodriguez’s home runs are tainted, but you can’t argue the number.
With this home run, he said he flashed back to being 18 years old and playing his first major league game at Fenway.
“It’s been quite a ride and I’m just happy that I’m in a good place right now,’’ Rodriguez said.
He’s out of the cave he put himself in with his steroid use.
Love him or hate him, Alex Rodriguez hit all 660 home runs his way.