Madonna by Tony Barson/WireImage.com

Madonna has stepped up to the plate to hopefully knock out of the park rumblings that she has been rounding the bases with New York Yankee Alex Rodriguez, to the detriment of each of their marriages. "My husband [director Guy Ritchie] and I are not planning on getting a divorce," the Material Woman of a Certain Age tells People. Explaining her connection with the Yanks' third-baseman, she adds, "I know Alex Rodriguez through Guy Oseary, who manages both of us. I brought my kids to a Yankee game. I am not romantically involved in any way with Alex Rodriguez. I have nothing to do with the state of his marriage or what spiritual path he may choose to study."

A-Rod's wife Cynthia, who has revealed her plan to file for divorce (citing "irreconcilable differences" and emotional abandonment), reportedly has been telling friends that his closeness with Madge caused a final rift in their already tenuous union. In fact, the divorce action will cite his relationship with Madonna as but "the latest situation in a series of events" crippling their marriage. - Matt Mitovich