A-Rod's wife: Divorce over 'extramarital affairs'

The more than 5-year marriage collapsed amid reports of a new friendship between the Yankee slugger and the 49-year-old pop singer, an only-in-New York convergence of sport and entertainment celebrity.

Played out in both the sports pages and gossip magazines, the saga appeared to have taken its toll on Cynthia Rodriguez, who said in divorce papers that her husband "emotionally abandoned his wife and children."

"The marriage of the parties is irretrievably broken because of the husband's extramarital affairs and other marital misconduct," according to her petition for dissolution of marriage, filed in the family division of Miami-Dade County Circuit Court.

The New York Yankees third baseman, who earned his 12th All-Star selection Sunday, has refused to comment on any relationship with Madonna.

Rodriguez's attorney in Miami, Ira M. Elegant--who is also representing NBA star Shaquille O'Neal in his ongoing divorce--said he had not reviewed the divorce petition but added: "As you know, anyone can pay the filing fee and make allegations."

Richard Rubenstein, a spokesman for Rodriguez, declined to address to allegations of infidelity, saying that would be brought up in court.

"His priorites are to have a future with his children and be a big part of their lives," Rubenstein said.

Cynthia Rodriguez has asked for primary custody of their two children--Nathasha Alexander, 3, and 2-month-old Ella Alexander--as well as child support and alimony.

Days before the filing, stories linking Rodriguez and Madonna began to surface, including an Us Weekly report last week saying that Rodriguez made several late-night visits to Madonna's apartment in New York.