NEW YORK Rodriguez impressed with Yankees' reception

He was introduced with Derek Jeter, Joe Torre and Reggie Jackson at his side.
NEW YORK (AP) -- Flashbulbs popped. Cable news networks went live.
Start spreading the news: Alex Rodriguez is the new star in town.
"Wow! What a reception," he said Tuesday at a Yankee Stadium news conference. "I still feel like someone's going to pinch me and wake me up."
Rodriguez was introduced with Derek Jeter, Joe Torre and Reggie Jackson at his side. The New York manager even took a moment to adjust Rodriguez's new Yankees cap to show more of his smiling face for the cameras.
A-Rod repeatedly deferred to Jeter, the Yankees' captain and shortstop, a stark contrast to Jackson, who arrived before the 1977 season and proclaimed he was the "straw that stirs the drink," a slap at Thurman Munson.
Changing positions
Rodriguez is seemingly happy to move to third from shortstop, the position he played in Seattle and Texas. The reigning American League MVP, born in Manhattan, wasn't about to stir up anything, especially on his first full day with the team.
Conflict? Ego?
All media hype, Rodriguez and Jeter insisted.
"Derek has four world championships and I want him to have 10. That's what this is all about," Rodriguez said. "I think the coolest thing in the world is being a New York Yankee and having the opportunity to win consistently."
Yankees owner George Steinbrenner watched on television from the team's minor league complex in Tampa, Fla., as Rodriguez put on jersey No. 13 -- for former Miami quarterback Dan Marino, one of his childhood heroes. Asked where the acquisition ranked for him, Steinbrenner said: "Probably right up there with Reggie. I'm not going to say No. 2. How can you argue when you get arguably the best player in baseball?"
Jackson believes there will be plenty of room for all the egos in the clubhouse. But Jackson, like all Yankees fans, knows Rodriguez could be just an 0-for-4 or error away from angering Steinbrenner.
"If he doesn't do his thing, he'll have to deal with George," Jackson said.
The new pairing
Jeter dubbed the new pairing the "dynamic duo" and called Rodriguez "arguably the best player in baseball."
"I think we're going to make a great tag team over there,"' Rodriguez said.
Much has been made of Rodriguez's criticism of Jeter in an Esquire interview three years ago, when he questioned the Yankee captain's leadership. Both tried to put any controversy behind them, with Jeter saying it was like a spat between brothers. If the pair are as slick on the field as they were at the microphones, the Yankees should be in great shape for years to come.
"Everyone wants us to not get along, but that's not the case," Jeter said. "Our relationship is fine."
Jeter and Rodriguez traveled together from Tampa to New York on Monday after the trade from Texas was finalized. Rodriguez told Jeter he was moving to third -- possibly costing him a chance at the home-run record for shortstops. Rodriguez has 344, one shy of Cal Ripken.
"I told Derek, 'I'm going to stick close to you, ask your advice on many issues. I need your support and mentorship,' " Rodriguez recalled.
Center of attention
Rodriguez grew tired of being the center of attention with the Rangers, who signed him to a $252 million, 10-year contract in December 2000. To get out of Texas, Rodriguez agreed to switch positions.
"I look at third base as a challenge and an opportunity," Rodriguez said.
The first reigning MVP to be traded, Rodriguez is a two-time Gold Glove shortstop, perhaps better at the position than Jeter.
"Derek, being the leader of the team, he does it with elegance and class and grace, " Rodriguez said. "I'm here to assist him, be one of the guys."