Yankees’ A-Rod announces retirement
The New York Yankees’ Alex Rodriguez announced on Sunday morning he will play his final game at the end of the week, culminating a career in which the three-time MVP etched his name among the greatest in the sport’s history yet became a polarizing figure amid a full-season suspension for steroid use.
Rodriguez’s farewell will take place Friday at Yankee Stadium against the Tampa Bay Rays. Following the game, he will be unconditionally released in order to sign a deal to become a special adviser with the club.
“This is a tough day. I love this game, and I love this team, and today I’m saying goodbye to both,” said Rodriguez as he choked back tears during a news conference at Yankee Stadium with his teammates in attendance. “Saying goodbye may be the hardest part of the job, but that’s what I’m doing today.”
Relegated to little more than a spare part lately, the three-time AL MVP said “the last four weeks have not been fun.”
“It’s been very painful and embarrassing to sit on the bench. It’s been awkward.”
Rodriguez ranks fourth all-time in home runs, with 696, behind only Barry Bonds (762), Hank Aaron (755) and Babe Ruth (714), but the designated hitter hasn’t been in the lineup since Aug. 2, fuelling speculation his career was reaching its end.
“Management has told me I’ll get a few at-bats on Friday,” he said.
The Seattle Mariners made Rodriguez the No. 1 overall pick in the 1993 draft. Several months later, he made his big league debut at 18. In 2000, Rodriguez signed a 10-year, US$252-million deal, the largest in professional sports history, with the Texas Rangers.
In 2004, the Yankees acquired Rodriguez in exchange for second baseman Alfonso Soriano and a player to be named. The Rangers agreed to pay US$67 million of the US$179 million remaining on his contract. Three years later, Rodriguez signed with the Yankees for US$275 million over 10 years, setting another record for the most lucrative deal in pro sports history.
In early February 2009, Rodriguez was linked to performanceenhancing drugs in a Sports Illustrated report. Several days later, he admitted to using PEDs.
Rodriguez was suspended for the entire 2014 season after an arbiter reduced the initial penalty of 211 games to 162, for his involvement in the Biogenesis scandal.
Rodriguez’s announcement is the latest move as the Yankees embark on a full rebuild. Among the significant moves general manager Brian Cashman orchestrated at the trade deadline included trading relievers Aroldis Chapman and Andrew Miller, as well as slugger Carlos Beltran.
On Friday, the Yankees called a news conference with 36-year-old first baseman Mark Teixeira, who announced he will retire at the end of the season.
Rodriguez won his second and third AL MVP awards with the Yankees.
A-Rod said he’ll go home to Miami following Friday’s game, and he thought his new duties would begin during spring training next year.
“We’re going to look forward to him impacting our younger players,” Cashman said. “He’s been a leader and a mentor.”
Cashman, however, acknowledged that Rodriguez has a right to change his mind and pursue any potential opportunity. And for his part, Rodriguez never used the word “retire.”
So, if another team offered him a chance to play, would he consider it?
“A lot’s happened the last 72 hours,” Rodriguez said. “I have not thought past the pinstripes, and my horizon is Friday. And, I haven’t thought much more than that.
“Hopefully, I’ll be remembered as someone who tripped and fell a lot but kept getting up,” Rodriguez said.