New York Yankees designated hitter, Alex Rodriguez doesn’t go in to retirement without controversy.
Under performing with the club, contract disputes with the team, steroid use, the list can go on and on! Yet, as sports and baseball fans, we understand A-Rod was one of a kind.
After a 2015 season, where Rodriguez came back from a one year suspension for PED’s, Yankees fans could see he was motivated to prove others wrong. With an even bigger comeback season set for 2016, people hoped to see the future hall of famer produce as he did the season before. It never happened.
Nursing a right hamstring injury, as well as putting in his worst batting average of his career, something had to give. Sending Rodriguez down to Double-A Trenton Thunder didn’t help, so what was next for this dwindling relationship? The Yanks were falling off in the standings, currently 59-56, a few games back in the wild card but 5.5 games away from the AL East.
Regardless of A-Rods set backs, he remains one of the best players to play them game. With a combination of power, defense, and speed during his early career it made him a franchise player for each team he played with. To be drafted by the Seattle Mariners in 1993 first overall and play the next season at age of 18 says it all. His performance led him to sign two 10 year deals in his MLB career ranging at 252 and 275 million dollars. Rodriguez currently holds the record with most grands slams in a season with 25 total, not not mention a member of the 3,000 hits club. He is a 3x AL MVP, 14x All-Star, as well as World Series Champion.
If A-Rod wasn’t hated for being controversial, he was definitely hated for being one of the few players who could beat your team single handedly.
Alex played his finally game against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays Friday night, and to come out with a win was a big thank you for the Yankees and his fans. Going for 1-4, a double to deep right center pushed the Yanks to a 6 -3 win.
Rodriguez couldn’t hold back his emotions as he was asked how it felt to play his last game. “It was difficult, but I cant say enough about these fans” he responded. “I’ve given these fans a lot of headaches over the years. You don’t have to be defined by your mistakes… that’s what New York is all about.”
Thank you A-Rod for the memories!
