Though I no longer think of 40 as being “old,” let’s face it, it’s up there for a professional athlete. Alex Rodriguez, the man who has lived no ordinary life and led no ordinary career, turns 40 today, and is playing his best ball in at least half a decade. Way to go, slugger.

Even though he plays for my beloved New York Yankees, I haven’t felt the need to root for A-Rod the past few seasons. Especially last season, when the guy didn’t even play, sitting out the year on a PED-related suspension. I’ll admit I pretty much thought A-Rod was done, and didn’t care whether he ever appeared in pinstripes or any other uniform again. Then there he was at spring training this year. Clean? Yup. Repentant? Perhaps. A team player? Seems so. Feared hitter in the Yankee lineup? As the season has rolled on… yes.

This past Saturday’s performance–three home runs to lead the team to victory–was no Babe Ruth Story fluke. He’s having a great season. Indeed, between the way he and teammate Mark Teixeira are hitting this year, you’d think it was 2009 or something.

Author’s note: 2009 has been the only year this century (counting 2000 as the old century) the Yankees have won the World Series. A repeat performance of that season would be quite the 40th birthday present, would it not be? Just sayin’.