Alex Rodriguez
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Maybe the reason people dislike Alex Rodriguez is because he’s good looking, biracial, makes the most money or plays for the most popular team in baseball.
Or maybe it’s because he’s never above the occasional bush league play and makes dumb statements like, “When people write shit about me, I don’t know if it’s because I’m good looking, I’m biracial, I make the most money, I play for the most popular team.”
Either way, A-Rod is one of the most controversial players in Major League Baseball, as well as one of the best players the game has ever seen.
After being selected as the first overall pick in baseball’s 1993 amateur draft by the Seattle Mariners, it took Rodriguez only three years to make a huge impact on the game.
In his first full season with the Ms in 1996, he hit 36 home runs, drove in 123 runs and batted .358, which was the highest batting average for a right-handed American League player since Joe DiMaggio hit .381 in 1939.
That year was just a small preview of what was to come for Rodriguez, however.
In 2000, Rodriguez signed a 10-year, $252 million deal with the Texas Rangers, which was the most lucrative contract in sports history. He would go on to lead the AL in home runs, total bases and runs scored in 2001, and followed up that campaign by again leading the AL in home run, total bases and as well as in RBI in 2002.
In 2003, his final season with the Rangers, he won his first MVP award, leading the AL in home runs, runs scored and slugging percentage. He also notched his second consecutive Gold Glove Award at shortstop, proving his defense can be just as good as his offense.
In 2004 Texas traded him to the New York Yankees, which has been both a blessing and a curse for Rodriguez, who had to move to third base with Derek Jeter already entrenched at shortstop.
In 2005, he won his second MVP award, but failed to carry the Bronx Bombers to a World Series title, which is damn near the only thing Yankee fans and management care about. His defense was also criticized, as he failed to make a smooth transition from short to third.
While his regular season numbers stayed MVP-like in 2006, he was again criticized for not performing in the postseason as the Yankees fell to the Detroit Tigers in the Divisional Round. His 1-for-16 performance in the series prompted media outlets to suggest maybe the Yankees would rid themselves of the A-Rod experience in the offseason.
New York held on to their controversial star, however, and were rewarded with a slimmer, more improved (if that’s possible) Rodriguez, and one who started off the 2007 season with 14 home runs in 18 games (first player in MLB history to ever achieve such a feat).
Even though he seems more relaxed in the Bronx these days, many believe A-Rod will opt out of his contract after the 2007 season, leaving the Yankees for greener and less-critical pastures. If he does in fact leave, one thing is for sure – he’ll produce. Many baseball pundits believe that he’ll eventually break the all-time home run record, which currently belongs to Hank Aaron, but may soon be broken by Giants’ outfielder Barry Bonds.
For more information on Rodriguez, as well as a selection of past news commentary, see the web guide we’ve provided below.
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Career
Official site of the New York Yankees: Alex Rodriguez
Multimedia highlights on Alex Rodriguez, as well as stats and a bio.
ESPN.com Player Page: Alex Rodriguez
ESPN.com provides a player profile on Alex Rodriguez, as well as season and career stats and photos.
CBSSportsline.com: Alex Rodriguez
Fantasy baseball analysis, player updates and stats.
FOX Sports.com: Alex Rodriguez
Scouting report, stats and small player profile.
News and Commentary
A-Rod’s wife wears message at Yankee Stadium: “F*ck you”
Alex Rodriguez’s wife, Cynthia, wore a shirt with the words, “F**k you” to a Yankees-A’s game in 2007, igniting a bit of a firestorm among fans.
Jays blast smart Alex
In a game versus the Toronto Blue Jays in 2007, Alex Rodriguez found himself immersed in controversy after allegedly shouting, “Mine!” while rounding third base, causing Jays third basemen Howie Clark to drop a routine pop fly. Some thought the criticism A-Rod endured after the move was overblown.
Why do we hate this guy?
Very interesting article providing insights as to why fans and many in the media hate Alex Rodriguez.
A-Rod youngest to 450 HRs but error helps sink Yanks
Alex Rodriguez became the youngest MLB player ever to hit 450 home runs.
Alex Rodriguez wins M.V.P. Award
Alex Rodriguez won his second MVP award in 2005, edging out David Ortiz of the Boston Red Sox by just five votes.
A-Rod wins first MVP award as trade talks swirl
Alex Rodriguez won his first MVP award in 2003 while batting .298 with 47 home runs and 118 RBI. The year also marked his final year in Texas, as the Rangers traded A-Rod to the New York Yankees in 2004.
A-Rod agrees to $252M deal with Rangers
In 2000, Alex Rodriguez signed the most lucrative contract in sports history by inking a 10-year, $252 million deal with the Texas Rangers.