MOOSIC – The rehab stint for Major League Baseball Star Alex Rodriguez will officially run through the Scranton area. A-Rod will be in the lineup at PNC Field in Moosic for Thursday night’s RailRiders’ game against Louisville.
This comes just one week after Yankee baseball star Derek Jeter played four games during the team’s last home stand.
Within hours of the A-Rod announcement, the box office sold hundreds of tickets for Thursday’s game.
“When somebody like A-Rod comes this close to your house, you've got to come see them," said Pete Lieback of Duryea.
"To get a guy like Jeter for a week and then to find out that Alex Rodriguez is coming it's great for the community great for the team," said Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders Corporate Partnerships Vice President Mike Trudnak.
With A-Rod in Thursday's lineup at PNC Field, the RailRiders aren't expecting any of these seats to be empty, but they aren't so sure how fans will welcome this major league player.
"He’s definitely not looked at in the same light as a Jeter or a Granderson and it's going to affect a lot of things but either way you look at it, he is still a celebrity,” said Sean Finegan of Jermyn.
The 14-time All-Star will play for the RailRiders as he recovers from a hip surgery. He’s also tangled up in a Major League Baseball investigation for allegedly using steroids.
"I don't think it's going to matter to the people. They want to see a superstar, and they want to see somebody hit a ball a long way,” said Lieback.
Scranton was buzzing with "Jeter Fever" just days ago as the superstar visited several restaurants, including the Downtown Deli in between games. But businesses downtown doubt the Yankees third baseman will do the same.
"I would say probably not, to be honest with you. My experience, they're few and far between," said Downtown Deli employee Joe Mussi.
But whether they’re downtown or down on the diamond, fans say they’re excited for yet another Yankee’s star.
"To have them come, Jeter, A-Rod, Just great, just great for the area," said Bob Janik of Moosic.