NY YANKEES STAR A-ROD RELIES ON JAY Z, BEYONCÉ FOR UPHILL BATTLE

New York Yankees' star Alex Rodriguez has reportedly linked with longtime friend Jay Z's business associate and an attorney for Beyoncé Knowles-Carter to get his struggling career in place.

According to reports, Bey's legal team has come forward to show its support for A-Rod.

As the circus surrounding the ailing $275 million third baseman's return to the lineup and a looming Major League Baseball suspension play out, associates of the entertainment mogul-turned-sports agent have been helping Rodriguez out behind the scenes. 

---

 Last week, Jordan Siev, a lawyer for Jay-Z's superstar wife, Beyonce, represented A-Rod in a telephone conference with Yankee brass last Thursday. On the call, Bombers general manager Brian Cashman, presidentRandy Levine and trainer Tim Lentych discussed with Siev the time frame for the injured Rodriguez's return to the team. Oddly, there was no union official or lawyer on the call, which took place the day after Rodriguez dispatched a tainted New Jersey doctor on a media tour to say Rodriguez was healthy and ready to return to the field. Rodriguez told WFAN he brought Siev on to "make sure everything is documented." (NY Post)Alex also has some support coming his way courtesy of a Jay affiliate.

Rodriguez is also using the flack Ron Berkowitz -- whose public relations firm represents Jay-Z's new Roc Nation Sports enterprise - as a spokesperson. Roc Nation was recently approved as a sports agent by MLB and the NBA. It's first big score was signing Yankees Robinson Cano. It's been speculated that Rodriguez, a longtime friend of the second baseman, encouraged his pal to make the deal. A-Rod and Jay-Z are longtime pals. The two have teamed up for celebrity poker games and charity events, and have been spotted sitting courtside at Knicks games. The rap mogul rode on the championship float with Rodriguez at the Yanks' 2009 parade, and the ballplayer rang in the new year with Jay-Z and Beyonce in 2011. (New York Post)Back in January 2012, Young Hov re-opened his popular New York 40/40 Club after it shut down for renovations and invited Rodriguez to come through.

Jay-Z will get a break from Daddy Duty on Jan. 18. The music mogul - who welcomed daughter Blue Ivy Carter with wife Beyoncé over the weekend - is scheduled to attend the grand re-opening of his 40/40 Club next week, amNewYork has confirmed. Also on the guest list for the invite-only soiree: Alex Rodriguez, C.C. Sabathia and the Giants'Victor Cruz. The Flatiron-area club underwent massive renovations, reportedly in the neighborhood of $10 million, since closing last year. (AM NY)After A-Rod helped the Yankees win the World Series in 2009, Jay accompanied him during the local parade.

Crowds roared and church bells rang in lower Manhattan on Friday as the Yankees' World Series championship celebration revved up with a ticker-tape parade. As the players on floats made their way through Wall Street toward City Hall Plaza, a loud roar rose above Broadway and confetti rained down on the parade. Revelers arrived early Friday to get a good spot along the route though many were forced to pack surrounding streets. Governor David Paterson and rapper Jay-Z were among those in the parade. After the players arrive at City Hall Plaza, Mayor Michael Bloomberg will give them the keys to the city. (Associated Press)