Kelly, 43, said he planned to boo the one-time hero of his two young sons at Monday night’s game between the Seattle Mariners and Texas Rangers at Safeco Field – the first for Rodriguez in his former town since the shortstop signed a record $252 million contract with the Rangers.

“I don’t care what comes out of their mouths, I still love them,” Rodriguez said of Seattle fans in a pregame news conference.

He said it had already been an emotional return to the city where he played six seasons – and it was strange walking into the visitors’ clubhouse.

Rodriguez ate lunch in the city Monday and posed for pictures and signed autographs. He said he was excited to play before his former fans, but expected to be booed, saying “it’s good for baseball.”

The crowd obliged, booing Rodriguez lustily during his first at-bat. He reached first base on a fielder’s choice.

Other fans tossed fake dollar bills in the stands and onto the field.

Mariners manager Lou Piniella was anxious for the fans to get it over with, saying he wanted to “go on and play baseball. He’s going to be here for another nine games after this.”

Fans swarmed around the Texas dugout during the Rangers’ batting practice. They waved and cheered when Rodriguez ran by. But a few minutes later Rodriguez took batting practice, and fans began booing from all directions.

“I sure don’t know how they feel about me, but I know how I feel about the city ... I’m in love with this city,” he said.

So, why would he sign a letter to Boeing Co. officials, saying they should relocate to Dallas?

Rodriguez said he was approached by the Rangers’ ownership to endorse the city and understood the aerospace giant already had made a final decision to move its headquarters from Seattle.

“It was never presented as Seattle versus Dallas,” he said.

Still, many fans took it personally.

Mihn Tu of Olympia wore a full Santa suit and held a sign in right field that read, “Santa Works 4 Free Not $252 Million A-Rod.”

“It’s just a sign of protest,” said Tu, 25, a banker who said he would not boo. “He’s trying to steal Boeing with his comment. What’s next, Microsoft? He’s trying to make us poor.”

A neon pink “KRod” sign was one of many banners in the left field bleachers, a play on Rodriguez’s nickname, A-Rod. Others read “Who let the DOG in?” and “A-Wad.”

Kelly made a derogatory sign on a giant tarp that hung – for a short time before it was removed – from the framework of the Seattle Seahawks’ new football stadium under construction within view of Safeco Field. Kelly is an ironworker working on the new stadium, and he also worked on Safeco.

“We don’t appreciate building that stadium for Alex and the other superstars and have him walk away,” Kelly said during a lunch break at the Stadium Market near the ballpark. “To go to Texas is a slap in the face.

“If it was New York or another big market I could understand. But to go to Arlington, Texas? What’s in Arlington, Texas? I’m tired of him breaking all my little boys’ hearts.”

Audra Higgins, 25, who works for a publishing company near the stadium, said she would treat the game like any other.

“I don’t really care. I’ll just go watch the game,” she said. “Whatever. We have a shortstop. I hope they lose, though.”

Several Mariners fans eating lunch at Pyramid Alehouse across the street from Safeco said they understood why Rodriguez took the big bucks.

“He went for the money. Who wouldn’t?” pub manager Bob Bunich said. “He played good years for us.”

“I still think he’s a good guy,” said Michael Jacovino, a refrigerator distributor who attends about 12 games a season. “I’m not going to bash Alex.”

Jake Bannister, 21, didn’t have tickets for the game, but he had an opinion.

“I don’t think anyone is worth $252 million,” he said. “I don’t care if they can play baseball.”

Rodriguez said any person who was in his position would have a hard time turning down that kind of money.

“There’s this preconceived notion people want to kill me,” he said. “It was a great decision to make. It was an opportunity of a lifetime.”

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