Upbeat A-Rod Parties with Pals

By Jeffrey Slonim

07/15/2008 at 10:40 AM EDT

As scandal continues to swirl around Alex Rodriguez, the Yankees slugger hosted a star-studded soirée in Manhattan Monday night.

Exactly one week since his wife, Cynthia, filed for divorce – citing a string of infidelities and his alleged "affair of the heart" with Madonna – a smiling Rodriguez hit the 40/40 Club in honor of baseball's upcoming All-Star Game.

He arrived at 11:20 p.m. with manager Guy Oseary and nightlife guru Ingrid Casares – the very same people credited with bringing Madonna into his life. (The singer – who is also managed by Oseary and counts Casares as a longtime friend – has denied having a relationship with the baseball player.)

And despite the stresses of the past few weeks, Rodriguez seemed carefree as he greeted guests like Batman's Christian Bale, former Yankees great Reggie Jackson and basketball player Shaquille O'Neal. (He also hung with family, including his mom, sister and brother.)

Rodriguez's smile stayed in place for most of the night, even as the deejay spun Madonna's "Material Girl."

"Times are a bit difficult," A-Rod admitted on the red carpet to The Insider's Pat O'Brien. "But I've been through tougher times. I'll get through them. And the support of the New York fans is incredible."

One bright spot in recent days? Rodriguez's Toronto visit with his eldest daughter, 3-year-old Natasha. (He and Cynthia also have an 11-week-old daughter, Ella.)

"He was thrilled to see his daughter," said a source close to the Yankees star. "He hasn't been able to see her for some time. And no matter how [he and Cynthia] feel, he wants to maintain that relationship."

Rodriguez left before 1:30 a.m., hopping into an SUV – and ignoring the reporters who chased him to the car.