American · New York City · Born 27 July 1975American professional baseball player, three-time AL MVP and 14-time All-Star who hit 696 career home runs, fourth-most in MLB history.
Born in New York City in 1975, Alexander Emmanuel Rodriguez moved to Miami as a child where he developed into one of the nation's premier high school baseball prospects. The Seattle Mariners selected him first overall in the 1993 MLB Draft, making him one of the youngest players ever drafted in the first round at age 17. Rodriguez established himself as an elite shortstop during his seven seasons in Seattle, combining exceptional power with strong defensive play. His breakout came in 1996 when he hit .358 with 36 home runs, becoming the third player in history to achieve a .300 average, 35 home runs, and 30 stolen bases in a season. In 2000, he signed a record-breaking 10-year, $252 million contract with the Texas Rangers, the largest in professional sports history at the time. During his three seasons in Texas, Rodriguez posted remarkable offensive numbers, including American League MVP honors in 2003. The Yankees acquired Rodriguez in 2004, where he moved to third base to accommodate Derek Jeter. He won additional MVP awards in 2005 and 2007, becoming one of only three players to win the award with multiple teams. Rodriguez reached several historic milestones during his Yankees tenure, including his 600th home run in 2010. His crowning achievement came in 2009 when he helped lead New York to a World Series championship, hitting .365 with six home runs during the postseason. Rodriguez retired in 2016 with 696 home runs, ranking fourth all-time, along with 2,086 RBIs and 14 All-Star selections. However, his legacy remains complicated due to performance-enhancing drug use. He admitted to steroid use during his Rangers years and served a season-long suspension in 2014 related to the Biogenesis scandal. Despite the controversies, Rodriguez's statistical achievements cement his place among baseball's most productive offensive players. Post-retirement, he has worked as a television analyst and businessman.
696 career home runs, 14-time All-Star, 3-time AL MVP
How They Played
Power hitter with excellent plate discipline and defensive versatility
Lasting Impact
One of greatest shortstops/third basemen, overshadowed by PED scandal
Career Honours
- World Series Champion (2009)
- AL MVP (2003, 2005, 2007)
- AL Batting Champion (1996)
- AL Home Run Leader (2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2007)
| Team | Period | Games |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle Mariners | 1994–2000 | 1059 |
| Texas Rangers | 2001–2003 | 485 |
| New York Yankees | 2004–2016 | 1944 |
American Athletes