Alex Rodriguez is in Palo Alto to watch the Notre Dame-Stanford football game

Stanford and Notre Dame's meeting on the gridiron on Saturday is a pretty big deal, with both teams ranked in the top 10 in the College Football Playoff rankings. And plenty of famous fans made the trip to Palo Alto, including notable fans and alumni of both schools and ... wait a minute, is that Alex Rodriguez?

Alex Rodriguez on hand to cheer on Stanford tonight vs Notre Dame. pic.twitter.com/kQAQENGooK

- Angelo Di Carlo (@angdicarlowndu) November 28, 2015

A-Rod is taking in a sporting event, big deal -- it is the offseason, after all. But it does beg the question: What exactly is his connection to Stanford? A fondness for truly terrifying homemade trees? Sadly, there's a much more straight-forward explanation:

Talked to A-Rod. Incredibly nice guy. He's here because he was recruited by Stanford and still has a good relationship with Marquess.

- Do-Hyoung Park (@dohyoungpark) November 28, 2015

"Marquess" refers to Mark Marquess, the legendary Stanford baseball coach who tried to bring Rodriguez to Palo Alto when the latter was a high school star in Miami. And the Cardinal are also reportedly after A-Rod for his brain:

A-Rod also has the Stanford connection because Mussina went here and the GSB is trying to get him as a guest speaker.

- Do-Hyoung Park (@dohyoungpark) November 28, 2015

So, mystery solved. Although, to be honest, we're a little upset it had nothing to do with that time Stanford's student newspaper tricked everyone into thinking A-Rod was their newest assistant coach.