Frank Franklin II, AP Photo
New York Yankees‘ designated hitter Alex Rodriguez announced that his career will come to an end following the 2017 season, when his 10 year, $275-million contract expires.
By Christian Kouroupakis
Some moments throughout his tenure in the Bronx were ugly, some were really ugly, but A-Rod is statistically one of the best to ever play the game.
Rodriguez’s resume includes three American League MVP awards (2003, 2005, 2007), 14 All-Star Game appearances, ranks fourth all time in home runs (687), 21st in hits (3,070), eighth in runs scored (2,002) and fourth in RBI (2,005).
He is public enemy number one, the man everybody loves to hate, and would be classified as the greatest player of his generation if it weren’t for performance-enhancing drugs.
A-Rod entered his 2014 suspension as a roided out jock, and returned to baseball humbled and ready for a fresh start.
Now, a year after he slugged a team leading 33 home runs with and a .842 OPS, he announced that his shaky career will come to an end following the 2017 season.
PED’s aside, Rodriguez will be highly be considered for a Hall-Of-Fame induction and has been a more than a treat to watch over the years.
Let’s take a look back at the greatest moments of A-Rod’s career in the Bronx.
10. A-Rod Goes Off After Being Hit By Dempster
The New York Yankees were 7.5 games out of first place going into play on Aug 18, 2013, and suffering from a depressing season.
Rodriguez was appealing a suspension for his involvement in the Biogenisis case, and was granted the right to play during the appeal.
Many players across baseball, including Boston Red Sox pitcher Ryan Dempster, disproved of his appeal.
Taking it into his own hands, Dempster took it upon himself to provide “justice” by hitting him in the second inning of the contest.
Manager Joe Girardi was infuriated when Dempster wasn’t ejected from the game, and was ejected himself after arguing passionately with home plate umpire Brian O’Nora.
Without getting into a brawl, Rodriguez responded by going 3-for-4 with a home run and two RBI’s off Dempster. He fueled the Yankees to a 9-6 come-from-behind victory and provided a spark to a dismal ball club.New York ended up winning seven of the next ten ball games.
Without a doubt, it was one of the most epic nights Rodriguez has ever had with the Yankees.
9. Youngest to 500 Home Runs
Alex Rodriguez became the 22nd member of the prestigious 500-home-run club on Aug. 4, 2007 against the Kansas City Royals.
In the first inning with Kyle Davies on the mound, A-Rod crushed a fastball just inside the foul pole.
This not only gave the Yankees an early lead, but made Rodriguez the youngest player in MLB history (formerly Jimmie Foxx) to hit 500 homers.
This was the start of an MVP season for A-Rod. In 2005, he hit 48 home runs, drove in 130 runs, and slashed .321/.421/.610 with an OPS of 1.031.
7. Youngest to 600 Home Runs
On August 4th, 2010, A-Rod crushed a pitch up and away into Monument Park to become the youngest player to reach 600 home runs.
Rodriguez’s first inning shot made him one of seven players to ever reach that number.
That club includes Barry Bonds (762), Hank Aaron (755), Babe Ruth (714), Willie Mays (660), Ken Griffey Jr. (630) and Sammy Sosa (609).
6. Passing Willie Mays
A-Rod hit the 661st home run of his career off Baltimore Orioles’ pitcher Chris Tillman on May 8th of 2015. The blast broke a 2-2 tie in an eventual Yankee victory.
That blast pushed him ahead of Willie Mays on baseball’s all-time home run list.
Next up? Babe Ruth (714) who is third on the list, Hank Aaron (755) who stands in second place, and Barry Bonds (762)who is number one.
Rodriguez probably won’t get to Aaron or Bonds, but it’s very likely he’ll surpass Ruth in 2016.
5. A-Rod’s 2009 Postseason
The Yankees do not win the 2009 World Series without Alex Rodriguez.
Known for being a porous playoff performer, A-Rod batted .365 and hit 6 home runs while driving in 18 runs in the 2009 postseason.
Not only were his overall statistics impressive, but it seemed like every time the Yankees needed a hit, Rodriguez came through.
He went from notorious postseason choker, to playoff hero. The monkey was off his back, and the Yankees used it to capture their 27th World Series title.
4. Breaking the Grand Slam Record
For 75 years, fellow Yankee Lou Gehrig had the most career grand slams. That record came to an end on night the Yankees needed it the most.
New York was on the outside looking in as the playoffs drew near, and they could use any win they could get.
The Yankees were in a 1-1 tie with the San Francisco Giants when Rodriguez came to the plate with the bases loaded.
A-Rod sent one into the seats, not only fueling a 5-1 Yankee win, but it moved passed the Iron Horse to become the career leader in grand slams.
It was an unbelievable achievement and moved him past one of the greatest to ever play the game in the record books.
3. A-Rod’s Monster 2007 Year
2006 was a tough year for Alex.
Although he clubbed 35 homers and drove in 121 RBI’s, he struggled so bad in the playoffs that manager Joe Torre batted the slugger in the 8th slot during the ALDS vs the Detroit Tigers.
A year later, he had something to prove.
Rodriguez got off to one of the hottest starts in baseball history by clubbing 14 long-balls in April alone. He finished the year with 54 home runs, a career-high 156 RBI and finished with a .645 slugging percentage. As a result, A-Rod took home his third American League MVP Award.
Rodriguez’s 2007 campaign will forever be known as one of the most dominant single season performances in Yankee history.
2. Rodriguez Reaches 2000 RBIs
A-Rod’s two-run shot against the Baltimore Orioles not only knotted the game up at 4 apiece, but it was the 666th home run of his career and gave him 2,001 RBIs.
There are only four players to drive in 2000 RBIs in their careers. That list includes Hank Aaron (2,297 RBI), Babe Ruth (2,214) and Cap Anson (2,075).
However, technically Aaron and Rodriguez are the only players with more than 2,000 because Anson and Ruth did it before the RBI became an official statistic.
Nevertheless, this feat is one of the rarest in the game, yet often goes unnoticed. I could even argue that this feat is far more impressive than the next one.
1. Number 3000
Rodriguez reached one of the most incredible feats a baseball player can reach.
On June 19th, 2015, A-Rod cranked a 95 mph fastball off Detroit Tigers’ ace Justin Verlander into the seats in right to reach the plateau.
He became the 29th player in major-league history to reach 3,000 hits, the first since Derek Jeter got to the milestone in the same fashion.
He, Jeter, and Wade Boggs are the only players to hit a home run for number 3,000.
Many consider the career of Alex Rodriguez to be a fallacy. That steroids have made all his accomplishments little to no value.
Regardless, A-Rod managed to completely spin his image and is now respected by not only his organization and fans, but by Major League Baseball.
His achievements do have value, even if they were influenced by performance enhancing drugs. We may never a ballplayer as interesting as Alex Rodriguez was during his tenure in New York.
Don’t forget, it’s not over yet. I may have to add to this list as soon as this season.