A-Rod to finish run in pinstripes Friday in Bronx
NEW YORK — Ready or not, Alex Rodriguez will play his final game in pinstripes this week.
One of the most prolific hitters and polarizing figures in baseball history, the slumping slugger plans to take his final at-bat with the New York Yankees on Friday night and then become a special adviser and instructor with the team next year.
A-Rod and the club made the announcement before Sunday’s 3-2 victory over Cleveland.
“This is a tough day. I love this game, and I love this team,” he said, often choking up. “And today, I’m saying goodbye to both.”
Rodriguez, 41, who sat out the 2014 season while serving a performance-enhancing drug suspension, will play against Tampa Bay at Yankee Stadium and then be released following Friday’s game. New York will pay him the remainder of the approximately $27 million he’s owed as part of his $275 million, 10-year contract.
Rodriguez, who is four home runs shy of 700, said the agreement arose out of conversations over the past few days with Yankees managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner. The two met face-to-face more than once, and A-Rod said he asked for one more chance to play in front of a New York crowd.
A news release issued by the club indicated Rodriguez will be released after “his final major league game” to sign a contract that gives him a job working with minor leaguers throughout the Yankees’ farm system. He will report directly to Steinbrenner, and the deal runs through Dec. 31, 2017.
General manager Brian Cashman acknowledged Rodriguez has a right to change his mind and pursue any potential opportunity. And for his part, Rodriguez never used the word “retire.”
Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia said when Rodriguez makes decisions, “they’re pretty much final.”
A 14-time All-Star and three-time AL MVP, Rodriguez is hitting .204 this season with nine homers and 29 RBIs in 216 at-bats. He’s started only once in 15 games since July 22.
When the fourth-place Yankees (56-55) jettisoned veterans Aroldis Chapman, Andrew Miller and Carlos Beltran leading up to last week’s trade deadline, they made it clear they were turning toward a youth movement.
On Friday, first baseman Mark Teixeira, 36, announced he will retire at the end of the season.
“We all want to keep playing forever,” Rodriguez said. “But it doesn’t work that way.”
A-Rod trails only Barry Bonds (762), Hank Aaron (755) and Babe Ruth (714) on the career homer list.