New York City -- Citing the need to live for something greater than himself, Alex Rodriguez is taking a leave of absence from baseball to join the United States military.
"I've decided the time has come to serve my country in the Middle East. I will begin my training to fly a B-52 bomber next week," said the 11-time All Star at a hastily arranged press conference in midtown Manhattan.
"It's time for me to make a difference where it really matters," said the formerly free-agent slugger. "I'm off the baseball market, for now."
Reached at a Florida hospital where he is recovering from a stroke, Rodriguez's agent Scott Boras declined comment. According to a source close to Boras, he was buying a new yacht when he got the call from his top client.
If he follows through, A-Rod will continue in the great tradition of American baseball players who went to fight in World War II, such as Ted Williams and Joe DiMaggio. Those players returned from the war to continue their careers, and hit well in the playoffs.
