Alex Rodriguez’s MLB playing career really could be over. The New York Yankees designated hitter, released by the team last Saturday, told friends “I’m done” with his career, reports Jon Heyman of Today’s Knuckleball.
Rodriguez appeared in his last game of 2016 on Friday and called it a season, moving into a special advisor role with the club after his release. Rodriguez hasn’t officially retired and there’s been speculation he could return to baseball in 2017. Hal Steinbrenner even gave him his blessing to do so.
Calling it quits is appropriate. A-Rod struggled to find regular playing time with the Yankees as of late, posting career-worst numbers across the board with a .200 batting average, a .247 OBP and just nine home runs in 65 games. The Miami Marlins reportedly expressed interest in the 41-year-old, but Rodriguez was adamant about not returning this season.
If the reports are true and this is the end of A-Rod, his last game was a fitting send-off for one of the most divisive players in MLB history. Rodriguez’s numbers suggest he’s an all-time great, but PED use and attitude issues have always clouded his Hall of Fame stock. Still, there’s no denying, for better or worse, A-Rod was as entertaining as they come, routinely doing incredible things on the baseball field.
MLB isn’t better without Rodriguez regularly playing in a lineup, even if his departure happened at the right moment. He was a monster talent. Rodriguez’s transition into a front office role is hopefully the start of a new chapter in life. A-Rod’s got nothing left to prove at the MLB level. It’s probably time to try something else.
