Yankees' A-Rod joins Facebook By The Sports Xchange

New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez waits to hit in batting practice before his team play the Miami Marlins during their MLB spring training baseball game in Miami, Florida April 2, 2012. (REUTERS/Joe Skipper)

New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez is on Facebook.

Go ahead, send him a friend request.

“I just felt the time was right,” Rodriguez said. “Social media has gotten so big now.”

Rodriguez, who already has 716,000 “likes” on the online platform, has tried to keep a low profile in light of some embarrassing off-the-field publicity. But he feels Facebook represents a good way to interact with fans.

“I want my fans to know how much I appreciate them,” Rodriguez said. “I have always been pretty private but I like that I’m getting the chance to interact with my fans on a more personal level. The posts on my page will come from me. Obviously my time is limited and I have people to assist with certain things, but I will have an active role in all of the content on my fan page.”

Rodriguez said he’ll take some pictures and provide blurbs for them.

“Some candid pictures, some posts about issues that are important to me such as education, a few inspirational messages ... and I plan to answer some fan questions on video, too,” Rodriguez said. “I’m looking forward to sharing experiences in my life that aren’t part of a box score.”