He was one of eight players to reach 600 home runs. He was one of three players with 600 home runs, 300 stolen bases, and 2000 runs scored. He was one of eight players to record 3,000 hits, and one of three players to finish with 3,000 hits and 600 home runs. 

But on this day, Alex Rodriguez has announced his historic career will be coming to a close in less than a week. 

The New York Yankees announced prior to an emotional 11 am ET press conference that Rodriguez will play his last game as a Yankee on Friday, August 12th, and will then become a special advisor for the team. Rodriguez, 41, has not received much playing time in the past month, and stated that the past four weeks have been "awkward"

"I love this game and this team," Rodriguez said. "And today, I will be saying goodbye to both."

Rodriguez said that his role as a special advisor will begin at the start of next season's Spring Training

The Yankees play the Cleveland Indians today at Yankee Stadium, but will then be traveling to Fenway Park for a three game series with the Boston Red Sox beginning Tuesday and ending Thursday. It is unknown if the Red Sox will honor "A-Rod" in these games, but it is likely. Friday, Rodriguez's last day as a player, the Yankees will return home to face the Tampa Bay Rays. In his press conference, Rodriguez stated that he wanted to play one more game at home in front of his family. 

Rodriguez's historic career

Rodriguez was drafted with the first overall pick in the 1993 MLB Draft by the Seattle Mariners, and made the big leagues his following season. At just 18-years-old, Rodriguez was the youngest player in Major League Baseball

Though he struggled in his first two seasons as a teenager, Rodriguez finally made his mark in 1996, and contributed in a huge way. At just 20-years-old, the shortstop batted a league-best .358 with 36 homers, 123 RBIs, and 15 stolen bases. He was named to his first all-star team, and finished second in the AL MVP voting, only behind Juan Gonzalez

Rodriguez's numbers took a slight dip in 1997, but remained spectacular. He hit an even .300 with 23 homers and 84 RBIs, but did swipe 29 bags. 

Overall, as a member of the Mariners for seven years, the 3-time-MVP hit .305 with 156 home runs, 395 RBIs, 44 stolen bases, and 382 runs in 485 games. In 2000, his last season with the "M's", Rodriguez slugged 41 home runs and 132 RBIs. He set historic marks with the Mariners, and made it known quickly that he would take the league over by storm.

In the offseason of 2000, Rodriguez became a free-agent for the first time. He signed a mega-deal with the Texas Rangers, agreeing to a 10-year, $252 million contract. Seattle had traded eventual Hall of Famers Ken Griffey Jr. and Randy Johnson, and it came to nobody's surprise he explored his options. It was by far the richest deal in baseball. 

Though he was wearing a different jersey, Rodriguez's production did not slow down. In his first season with Texas, Rodriguez bashed a league-leading 52 homers as well as hitting .318 with 135 RBIs. 

A-Rod's best season with the Rangers came in 2002, though he came up short of the MVP once again. He hit a league-high 57 homers and 142 RBIs, also winning his first career Gold Glove. Rodriguez finally got his MVP in 2003, hitting 47 homers and 118 RBIs with a .298 batting average, his last season with Texas. 

Following the season, the Rangers decided to trade him to the New York Yankees. Many things were different in New York, most notably moving to third base, as shortstop was held by Derek Jeter. He also was forced to change his number from 3 to 13, as 3 is retired in the Yankees organization in honor of the legend Babe Ruth

In New York, his figure changed severely once he admitted to using steroids, but his numbers as a Yankee were tremendous. Playing 12 seasons as a Yankee, Rodriguez hit .284 with 351 homers and 1094 RBIs. Those numbers, of course, are subject to change from now until Friday, as the Yankees still have five games on their schedule. 

He won his lone World Series title in 2009, contributing to the Yankees with 30 homers and 100 RBIs that season. 

Alex Rodriguez after the Yankees won the World Series in 2009. (Photo: Rob Tringali/Sportschrome)
Alex Rodriguez after the Yankees won the World Series in 2009. (Photo: Rob Tringali/Sportschrome)

Rodriguez won two MVPs in New York, one in 2005 and the other coming in 2007. In 2005 the Dominican had his best batting average since his 20-year-old season with the Mariners at .321, also hitting 48 homers. 2007 was his best season as a professional, mashing 56 home runs and 156 RBIs to go along with a .314 batting average and 24 stolen bases. 

Currently, Rodriguez ends his career with 3114 hits, 696 homers, 2084 RBIs, 2021 runs, 547 doubles, 14 All-Star Game appearances, 10 Silver Sluggers, and 2 Gold Gloves. Remarkable.

Steroid use

There is no denying that Rodriguez was a terrific player, but there is also no denying he benefited from PEDs. 

In 2009, it was declared Rodriguez tested positive for steroids during his 2003 season with Texas.  There was an investigation which led to 104 players testing positive for the drug, though there was no league punishment for the use. However, his reputation and his legacy took a big hit, and it could keep him out of Cooperstown

Rodriguez admitted to using the substance in an interview. 

However, though he said he never used any illegal substances as a Yankee, a new report came out in 2013 stating otherwise. He reportedly received HGH from Biogenisis of America, along with 12 other players in Major League Baseball. The other players received 50 game suspensions for their acts, but Rodriguez was suspended by the MLB for 211 games, the rest of the 2013 season and all of 2014. 

He appealed, and the suspension was cut down to 162 games, still all of 2014. He later admitted to using the HGH once the process was over, though he denied using the drug during the appeal process. 

Nonetheless, Alex Rodriguez had a tremendous career, and he will be remembered in the game of baseball for a long time. 

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About the author
Oliver P. Gold
A Providence, Rhode Island based sports journalist and blogger with expertise in baseball and basketball. Includes MLB, NBA and NCAA College Basketball. New England sports fan of Boston Red Sox, Boston Celtics and Providence Friars.