The Yankees announced Sunday that Rodriguez would play his final game with the team August 12 against the Rays before joining the organization in an advisory role through the end of the 2017 season, MLB.com reports. “We all want to keep playing forever, but it doesn’t work that way”.
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When asked about his new role with the Yankees Rodriguez said, “I’ve always wanted to be apart of something bigger than myself, that’s why I took steroids in the first place”.
Many expected New York Yankees designated hitter (and former third baseman) Alex Rodriguez to announce his retirement for the end of the regular season when the Yanks called a press conference Sunday morning.
A-Rod will play against Tampa Bay at Yankee Stadium on Friday night before ending his career as one of the most prolific and polarizing figures in baseball history. Rodriguez, who announced on Sunday that his last game as a Yankee will be on Friday, is likely to join them on the outside looking in.
Rodriguez entered Sunday with a career batting average of.295, with 3,113 hits and 696 home runs (fourth-most all time) as a member of the Mariners, Rangers, and Yankees over a 22-year major league career.
In an emotional press conference with team manager Joe Girardi, Rodriguez said, “Saying goodbye may be the hardest part of the job”. “Today I’m saying goodbye to both”. He re-signed with the Yankees for a contract worth $275 million over 10 years. He’ll get that full amount. In his new role, he will report to team owner Hal Steinbrenner.
“There was some drama with him back and forth, but you know what he’s a Yankee at the end of the day, as a Yankee fan you gotta appreciate what he did for the team”, Besmir Ismaili added. “I have not thought past the pinstripes”.
“He can do anything he wants”, said GM Brian Cashman. He has gotten even less playing time recently, starting just nine games since the start of July.
“A lot’s happened in the last 72 hours”, Rodriguez said. “I thought I would have a strong finish and a stronger year next year, but again, that wasn’t in the cards”.
In its announcement Saturday night, NY didn’t detail the objective of the gathering at Yankee Stadium.
After Friday’s game at Yankee Stadium, Rodriguez said he’ll go home to Miami.
Rodriguez’s career was marred by his admission in 2013 that he had used performance-enhancing drugs. “It’s been painful and embarrassing and awkward”, Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez’s release will cap a legendary but contentious career with the Yankees which saw him repeatedly embroiled in controversy since arriving in NY in 2004 from Texas.
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After a surprising revival in 2015, when he finished with 33 homers, Rodriguez has struggled throughout this season.
