That is until Friday when the Yankees announced a ceremony to honor Rodriguez’s 3,000th hit from June.

MORE: A-Rod’s journey from hero to anti-hero, in photos | The 3,000 hit club

“I think it’s amazing, truly classy by the Steinbrenners and the Yankees’ organization,’’ Rodriguez said Friday, via the New York Post.

Rodriguez’s 3,000th hit was a home run off Justin Verlander in Yankee Stadium. The Yankees eventually negotiated with the fan that caught the ball to return it to Rodriguez, which in itself was a far cry from the stance they took earlier in the season when they refused to pay Rodriguez any bonus money for his home run milestones after his year-long suspension for PED use.

“I never thought a year ago that I would be getting any ceremony,’’ Rodriguez said. “There was a thought that I was never going to play baseball again. To celebrate at home I am honored and flattered.’’