Alex
Rodriguez
Alex Rodriguez
holds the distinction of being one of the youngest players to
ever play shortstop for a major league team.
Drafted as
a 17 year old out of high school by the Seattle Mariners, Alex
Rodriguez climbed through the minor league ranks at a rapid pace,
making his major league debut at 18 years of age.
After six
excellent years in Seattle, A-Rod left as a free agent to sign
with the Texas Rangers. His 10-year, 250 million dollar contract
was and still is the biggest contract ever for a professional
athlete in the United States. Even today, whenever A-Rod returns
to play in Seattle, some fans will throw money at him. While Paul
O'Neill was adamant about not showing the fans up with a heralded
contract, A-Rod was more than happy to go to the highest bidder.
For three
years, A-Rod posted even better numbers for the Rangers than he
had in Seattle. But playing for a losing team for three years
straight took its toll.
In February
of 2005, the Yankees shocked the world by announcing the acquisition
of A-Rod in exchange for the up and coming Alfonso Soriano.
Thankfully,
the owner of the Texas Rangers was so desperate to get rid of
A-Rod's crippling contract that he offered to pay $67 million
of the $179 million left on A-Rod's contract.
In effect,
the Bombers signed A-Rod to a 7 year, $112 million contract, which
translates to $16 million per year, $2.9 million per year less
than Jeter's annual average of $18.9 million.
Since joining
the Yankees, Alex has put up solid regular season numbers. But
aside from a few good games against the Red Sox and Twins in 2004,
he has not come through in the clutch in post-season play.
Despite hitting
more than 40 home runs during the 2005 regular season, he failed
to hit a single home run in the 2005 post season. Contrast this
with Derek Jeter, who hit 19 home runs during the regular season
but came through with 2 home runs in the playoffs.
Heading into
the 2006 season, A-Rod has five full seasons remaining to create
his legacy. Will he be remembered as the game's highest paid player
who couldn't come through when it counted? Or will he be remembered
as one the greatest skilled players to ever play the game who
led his team to a championship?
*Photo of A-Rod by the Associated Press
