A-Rod: Times are Tough

Beleaguered New York Yankees star Alex Rodriguez admitted that "times are a bit difficult" in an interview with The Insider on Monday.

"I'll get through them," he said at the 2008 MLB All-Star Week party at Jay-Z's 40/40 club. "The support of the New York fans has been incredible."

THE HOLLYWOOD GOSSIP NOTE: It has?

Asked if he has been reading the flurry of stories about his divorce with Cynthia Rodriguez or the Madonna scandal, that prompted it, A-Rod said:

"None of it. Zero, zero. Thank you."

Well, that settles that. Alex Rodriguez has the blinders on, people!

Interestingly, Madonna was scheduled to attend the MLB All-Star Week bash. She was a no-show, however ... in person, at least.

The DJ at the event played a few Madonna tunes, including her new hit "Four Minutes" and classics "Material Girl" and "Like a Prayer."

Alex Rodriguez's "expression didn’t change," a witness reports. Phew.

During the night, A-Rod chatted up manager Guy Oseary - who also works for Madonna - and Ingrid Casares, who introduced him to his soulmate.

A-Rod — who spent the weekend with his daughter Natasha, 3, and estranged wife Cynthia Rodriguez, in Toronto — didn't look "devastated at all."

He obligingly posed for a photo with fans, but mostly stayed in the V.I.P. area, texting, watching ESPN's Sports Center, and drinking Bud Light.