Hispanic Heritage Month

September 15 to October 15

Alex Rodriguez

Alex Rodriguez ( born July 27, 1975) is a Dominican and American baseball player. Nicknamed "A-Rod". He is the current third

baseman for the New York Yankees. He also played Shortstop for the Seattle Mariners and the Texas Rangers. Rodriguez is

considered one of the best all-around baseball players of all time. Alex is the youngest player to ever reach the 500 homeruns

mark, set by Jimmie Foxx in 1939. December of 2007, Rodriguez and the Yankees agreed to a 10 year $275 million contract.

breaking his own previous record of $252 million. He holds the record for the 2 highest contracts in all sports combined.

Alex was born in the Washington Heights section of New York City. Rodriguez's idolized baseball's ironman Cal Ripken

while growing up. and his favorite team the New York Yankees.  Rodriguez was a star shortstop at Westminster High School

in Miami, and was selected as the USA Baseball Junior Player of the Year and as Gatorade's national baseball student athlete of

the year. Rodriguez turned down a scholarship to play at Miami, when he was drafted out of high school to the Seattle Mariners.

At the age of 17. In 1996, Rodriguez took over as the Mariners shortstop and emerged as a star player. Hitting 36 HR

driving in 123 runs and pacing the AL with a .358 batting average, at the age of 21.In 2000 he played in his last season with

the Seattle. Despite being the star player in a mediocre team Rodriguez did not sign back with Seattle, instead deciding to sign

with the Texas Rangers. After 4 bad seasons for the Texas Rangers, despite Alex becoming one of the most feared hitters of

all time. The Rangers decided that they would send Alex to New York where he could compete at a higher level. And had a

chance to win the championship that he deserved. When Alex was traded to New York and decided to move to third base,

because the popular Derek Jeter was already entranced at shortstop. Rodriguez also owns a Mercedes-Benz dealership in

League City, Texas. Rodriguez is also featured by Guitar Hero World tour, where he plays the guitar along with Tony Hawk on

drums, Kobe Bryant on Vocals, and Michael Phelps on bass.   

Awards and Honors 

• 12-time AL All-Star

• 3-Time AL MVP

• 10-Time AL Silber Slugger Award

• 4-Time AL Hank Aaron Award

• 2-Time Seattle Mariner Player of the Year.

• 2-Time Baseball America MLB Player of the Year

• 4-Time Baseball America Major League All-Star

• 3-Time Rangers Player of the Year

• 2-Time AL Gold Glove Award

• 2-Time The Sporting News Player of the Year.

Achievements

• 5-Time AL Runs Leader

• 4-Time AL Total Bases Leader

• 5-Time AL Home Run Title

• 2-Time AL RBI Title

• 2-Time AL OPS Leader

• 4-Time AL Slugging Percentage Leader

MLB Records

• Most runs in a season (SS)

• Most extra base hits in a Season (SS)

• Highest slugging percentage in a season (SS)

• Most total bases in a season (SS)

• Most home runs in a season (SS)

• Youngest ever to hit 500 home runs

• Most home runs by a third baseman (season)

• Most stolen bases in a 50-home run season

• Most home runs in consecutive seasons

• Most home runs in a season at home

• Most home runs in a season (RH)

http://www.jockbio.com/Bios/ARod/ARod_bio.html