K-Rod, back from suspension, is apologetic

NEW YORK - The last few days, the Big Apple's colorful tabloids and websites have offered screaming headlines about one of the city's professional baseball players, a guy named Rodriguez.

Not Alex, or A-Rod, but Francisco, or K-Rod.

In the game's jargon, batters get handcuffed by pitchers and strikeouts are called punchouts.

Francisco Rodriguez, the Mets' high-priced stopper, gave more literal meaning to those terms when he was arrested Wednesday night on charges he assaulted the father of his common-law wife. He was led to his arraignment Thursday in handcuffs, suspended for two games by the Mets, which cost him more than $125,000, and offered an apology Saturday.

The Mets fans who remained to watch the ninth inning of the Phillies' 4-0 win sounded their opinion of the whole mess by booing Rodriguez as he jogged in from the bullpen. He retired three straight after pinch-hitter Greg Dobbs led off with a double and received high fives and fist bumps from several of his teammates upon his return to the dugout.

Wednesday's incident was particularly embarrassing to the Mets because it occurred in the players' family lounge at Citi Field following the Mets' 6-2 loss to Colorado.

Rodriguez spoke for about one minute and declined to take questions from the media before he was quickly ushered into the Mets clubhouse, where he sat in front of his locker and appeared to be in a good mood as he chatted in Spanish with some of his teammates.

"I'm extremely sorry and I want to apologize to Fred Wilpon and Jeff Wilpon and Saul Katz for the incident that happened Wednesday night," said Rodriguez, alluding to the Mets' principal owners. "I want to apologize also to the Mets fans, to my teammates. I want to apologize, of course, to the front office for the embarrassment that I caused. I'm looking forward to being a better person."

Rodriguez added he was going to take part in an anger-management program.

Nevertheless, there is speculation the Mets have had enough of K-Rod's volatile act, because Fred Wilpon has been known to part with players who get into trouble.

Rodriguez, who established the major-league record with 62 saves when he was with the Angels in 2008, had two prior incidents since he signed a three-year, $37 million contract with the Mets before the 2009 season.

Rodriguez and Mets bullpen coach Randy Niemann had a disagreement during a game in May, and players had to separate them. Last year, he was in a confrontation with Tony Bernazard, the team's former minor-league director.

Mets manager Jerry Manuel said he believes the apology was sincere.

"I'm not a psychologist, but from what I know of him and the experiences I've had with him, I take it as a very sincere apology," Manuel said.

Rodriguez has converted 25 of 30 saves while frequently pitching himself into trouble before escaping. Prior to Saturday's game, K-Rod had pitched 15 scoreless innings against the Phillies.