Madonna and the baseball star mystery

Source: Agencies  |   2008-7-5  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

REPORTS that American baseball star Alex Rodriguez and Madonna have become close just as their marriages are disintegrating have the celebrity gossip industry and the sporting world buzzing with questions about the two "friends."

A third name was added to the saga when Rodriguez's wife fled from New York to the Paris home of singer and guitarist Lenny Kravitz.

Rodriguez signed a couple of autographs before a game against Boston earlier this week at Yankee Stadium, but didn't take questions from a pack of reporters.

The story began last week after Madonna, who is married to the British filmmaker Guy Ritchie, consulted a high-profile London divorce attorney. On Tuesday her publicist issued a statement saying Madonna's marriage was not in jeopardy. Then Us Weekly magazine reported that Rodriguez, 32, has been making late-night visits to her New York apartment.

Janice Min, editor-in-chief of Us Weekly, said the magazine was "100 percent" confident in its story. Min said Us Weekly has been careful not to overstate what's known of the relationship, which the latest issue labels a "hot new friendship."

"The facts are that he comes to her apartment late at night, that they have a friendship, that she had never been photographed at a Yankees game until she was photographed in A-Rod's seats," Min said.

Madonna's publicist, Liz Rosenberg, acknowledged the two knew each other after meeting at a charity event, but denied any romance. Rodriguez has refused to address the topic.

In a statement Kravitz said: "Cynthia is a friend ... she came here to escape from everything happening in New York City. "I opened my home to her as a friend and I find it extremely hurtful I am now being referred to as an adulterer."