Alex Rodriguez

Alexander Emanuel Rodriguez (born July 27, 1975 in New York City), nicknamed A-Rod, is widely regarded as one of the best players in Major League Baseball and at a young age already is being talked about among the all-time greats.

New York Yankees

On February 15, 2004, after a period in which he had been courted by the Boston Red Sox and named as the Rangers' captain, Rodriguez was traded to the New York Yankees for second baseman Alfonso Soriano and a player to be named later. In the trade, the Rangers will have to pay $67 million of the $179 million left on Rodriguez's contract. Since New York already had a star shortstop in team captain Derek Jeter, the trade developed only after New York's third baseman, Aaron Boone, suffered a season-ending knee injury while playing a game of pickup basketball during the off-season. After Rodriguez agreed to switch positions and play third base, the deal between New York and Texas was consummated.

Related Topics:
February 15 - 2004 - Boston Red Sox - Alfonso Soriano - Derek Jeter - Aaron Boone

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In addition to moving from shortstop to third, Rodriguez had to make another change upon joining the Yankees. He had worn uniform number 3 his entire career, but that number on the Yankees is retired in honor of Babe Ruth. There was some speculation as to what his number would be, but in spring training he showed up with uniform number 13, answering the question.

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In his first season with the Yankees, Rodriguez performed well, though perhaps average by his standards. He hit .286 with 36 home runs and 106 runs batted in, his seventh consecutive season with at least 100 RBI, and finished 14th for the American League MVP Award. Near the end of the season, Yankees manager Joe Torre moved Rodriguez to the No. 2 spot in the batting order, directly behind Jeter.

Related Topics:
Runs batted in - American League MVP Award - Joe Torre

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Although all members of the New York Yankees are generally loathed in Boston, Rodriguez is one of the most hated, but not only for his skill and notoriety. He nearly became a member of the Red Sox organization in the 2003 off-season, only to come to terms with New York after the players' union voided the proposed Boston-Texas trade. On July 24, 2004, the friction between the two rivals came to a head as Rodriguez and Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek got into a fight that cleared both benches after Rodriguez took offense to being hit by a pitch from Red Sox pitcher Bronson Arroyo.

Related Topics:
July 24 - Jason Varitek - Bronson Arroyo

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Rodriguez and Arroyo were involved in another incident during Game 6 of the 2004 American League Championship Series when on a tag play at first base, Rodriguez slapped the baseball out of Arroyo's glove. Derek Jeter scored from first base, but the umpires quickly huddled, then called Rodriguez out.

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