Alex Rodriguez, born in New York City on July 27, 1975, is a professional baseball third baseman and shortstop who has had a long and successful career in Major League Baseball (MLB). Known by his nickname “A-Rod”, Rodriguez was the youngest player to break the 600 home run mark and the youngest to win the single-season home run record with 61 home runs in 1998. Throughout the course of his career, Rodriguez has maintained a reputation as one of the game’s top players and has accumulated various awards, dedicating his life to excellence in baseball.
Table of Contents:
1. Early Life and Career
2. Achievements
3. Controversies
4. Post-MLB Life
5. Alex Rodriguez Quotes
- Early Life and Career
Alex Rodriguez was born in 1975 to Victor and Lourdes Rodriguez in New York City. Growing up, he attended the Alexander Hamilton High School in the west Bronx but dropped out in his senior year to pursue his dreams of playing in the MLB. Rodriguez began his career in the game when he was chosen first overall by the Seattle Mariners in 1993, making him the first high school player to be picked first in the amateur draft. Following his successful debut season in 1995, Rodriguez was traded to the Texas Rangers and became one of the first players to sign a $200 million contract in 2000.
- Achievements
Alexander Rodriguez has had a successful career in the MLB, earning numerous accolades and awards. Over the course of his 22-year career, Rodriguez earned 14 selections to the All-Star Game, was a three-time American League Most Valuable Player and had the second-most home runs of any player in MLB history with 696. He is also credited with being the youngest player to break the 600 home run mark, win the single-season home run record in 1998 with 61 home runs, and hit 30 home runs in 14 consecutive seasons, a record that continues to stand.
- Controversies
Despite his numerous achievements, Rodriguez has been embroiled in several scandals and controversies throughout his career. In 2013, he was suspended for a season following a controversy involving the use of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs). After appealing the suspension, it was reduced to 161 games for the 2014 season. In 2019, Rodriguez was forced to retire from the MLB, not due to any scandals, but due to a series of injuries that had plagued his career.
- Post-MLB Life
Following his retirement from the MLB, Rodriguez turned to a career in television and broadcasting. In February 2015, he became a regular in-studio analyst for FOX Sports 1 and ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball, and in 2017 he hosted the competition show “Big League Genius”. Rodriguez also returned to his alma mater, the University of Miami, as a “guest instructor”, helping mentor freshmen baseball players.
Alex Rodriguez Quotes
“Always follow your dreams, don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t be something.” — Alex Rodriguez
“I only look forward. I can’t get all caught up in what I’ve done. I still have plenty to accomplish in the game. Hopefully, I’m just scratching the surface.” — Alex Rodriguez
“I don’t expect people to feel sorry for me. My teammates get more upset about the criticism and booing than I do.” — Alex Rodriguez
“Winners live in the present tense. People who come up short are consumed with future or past. I want to be living in the now.” — Alex Rodriguez
“I’ve done a lot of special things in this game, and for none of that to be considered clutch, it’s an injustice.” — Alex Rodriguez
“I’m not impulsive at all – except about buying clothes. That’s my biggest weakness.” — Alex Rodriguez
“I don’t care if people like me or not. Respect is more important.” — Alex Rodriguez
“There’s no place like New York. And I found out that until you go through it for a season, you really don’t know it.” — Alex Rodriguez
“Anyone can forget about talent, but if you’re a good person, your name will be remembered for a long time.” — Alex Rodriguez
“I’ve done a lot of growing up and realized a lot of things.” — Alex Rodriguez
“I had a great year and left my guts out on the field.” — Alex Rodriguez
“Playing the game was the easy part. The real work was in the preparation.” — Alex Rodriguez
“Keep reading books, stay in school. I encourage kids to read as much as they can, I challenge you to read a book every two weeks like I try to.” — Alex Rodriguez
“I’m a terrible singer. I feel lucky to play baseball. You can’t be gifted in everything.” — Alex Rodriguez
“You must be present to win.” — Alex Rodriguez
“Be respectful. Treat people the way you want to be treated. Respect the lowest rank and the highest rank and you’ll never get in trouble.” — Alex Rodriguez
“I want to be the best, and the best work. You have to earn what you get, and you have to work to keep it.” — Alex Rodriguez
“You always dream about being on a baseball card. It’s kind of funny when you finally see it.” — Alex Rodriguez
“I think it’s just getting comfortable in New York City, comfortable in your own skin.” — Alex Rodriguez
“Not one day goes by when I don’t remind myself of how grateful I am for those who came before me over the last 25 years. When I see players like Mike Schmidt and Johnny Bench, I thank them.” — Alex Rodriguez
“I’m not a real vocal guy, but sometimes you need to kick someone in the ass.” — Alex Rodriguez
“Well, Milwaukee is a special place to me. It’s where I started my career playing in Appleton. Getting cheered on the road is something I haven’t been used to.” — Alex Rodriguez
“This is how I define grace: you’re on the main stage, and it looks like it has been rehearsed 100 times, everything goes so smoothly. That’s where I get my confidence and success, from knowing that I have an edge because I know I’m prepared.” — Alex Rodriguez
“You can take my cars or my house, just don’t mess with my clothes.” — Alex Rodriguez
“Looks aren’t the number one thing. They have to have class, intelligence, then looks. If I was the ugliest SOB in the world it would be a lot easier.” — Alex Rodriguez
“I like to score and drive in runs more than pay attention to batting average.” — Alex Rodriguez
“There is a difference between image and reputation. The image is nice. Reputation is developed over an entire career. Reputation is what I’m searching for.” — Alex Rodriguez
“We have a responsibility not just as athletes, but as members of society to treat people well. To do things the right way.” — Alex Rodriguez
“I have incredible motivation to go out and improve every day.” — Alex Rodriguez
“Enjoy your sweat because hard work doesn’t guarantee success, but without it you don’t have a chance.” — Alex Rodriguez
“With what has occurred in my life, the baseball field is where I feel most comfortable. That’s what I feel I was born to do and it’s what I do best.” — Alex Rodriguez
“Why do people sing Take Me Out to The Ballgame when they’re already there?” — Alex Rodriguez
“Some things are meant to be and if it was, you will know it.” — Alex Rodriguez
“I just don’t see the light. Where is the light? What am I in this for?” — Alex Rodriguez
“I’m having a hard time finding a date. I don’t trust any women I meet. I’m very skeptical.” — Alex Rodriguez
“It’s tougher when you’re established. Before, I’d see 13, 14, and 15 pitches that I could drive in a game. Now, I see one, two, or three, so I have to be better.” — Alex Rodriguez
“You can have fun, respect the game and also play it hard. When you have that combination, you’re going to put yourself in a position to be successful.” — Alex Rodriguez
“It takes a lot of pressure off you just to go out and play, and your talent sometimes shines, even more, when you don’t worry about individual stuff.” — Alex Rodriguez
“I love the challenge of the game. I love the work. My goal right now is to have a season next year that will make people forget about this one. I’ll use things like this for motivation. I’m pumped. I’m hungry.” — Alex Rodriguez
“If my life depended on it – if my daughter’s life depended on it – I’d want Mariano Rivera closing. Wouldn’t you?” — Alex Rodriguez
“I believe a champion wins in his mind first, then plays the game, not the other way around.” — Alex Rodriguez
“Leadership is a role you have to earn in order to be effective.” — Alex Rodriguez
“I’m fighting for my life, I have to defend myself. If I don’t defend myself, no one else will.” — Alex Rodriguez
“I’ve never felt overmatched on the baseball field. I’ve always been in a very strong, dominant position. And I felt that if I did my work as I’ve done since I was, you know, a rookie back in Seattle, I didn’t have a problem competing at any level. So, no.” — Alex Rodriguez
“I guess anytime you are mentioned with Hank Aaron, it is the ultimate compliment, not only as a hitter but obviously, the great ballplayer that he was.” — Alex Rodriguez
“Fear of failure is what fuels me, keeps me on edge and sharp. I’m not as good when I’m comfortable.” — Alex Rodriguez
“I kept thinking my father would come back, But he never did.” — Alex Rodriguez
“When you think small and up the middle, good things happen.” — Alex Rodriguez
“Balsamic vinaigrette, Tabasco, and giblets. Then let it boil.” — Alex Rodriguez
“Therapy can be a good thing; it can be therapeutic.” — Alex Rodriguez
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