It has been an "embarrassing" season for Yankees designated hitter Alex Rodriguez, who has spent most of it watching the action from the bench. The Yankees announced during a press conference on Sunday that A-Rod will play his final game with the team on Friday. The plan is to release him after Friday's contest, and then make him their special adviser through the 2017 season.
Rodriguez announced before this season that he will play out his contract, which ran through next season, and then retire. The final year and a half of that deal will be spent coaching the players, rather than playing with them.
The 41-year-old was very emotional during the press conference, stating "it's tough", and later saying "I love this game and I love this team....And today I'm saying goodbye." He also went on to call it "awkward" sitting on the bench for most of the season.
The team is contractually obligated to pay Rodriguez the remainder of his $21 million salary for this year, as well as the $21 million he's owed for next season. This is all part of the 10-year, $275 million contract, which was the largest deal in baseball at the time he signed it.
The former third baseman and shortstop has played in just 62 games this season, hitting .209 with nine home runs and 29 RBIs. That does not take away from his career accolades, which includes three MVPs, 14 All-Star appearances, and ranking fourth on the all-time home run list with 696 big flies in 19 seasons.
All of those accomplishments and numbers are Hall of Fame worthy, everything about A-Rod's career is Hall of Fame worthy......everything except his history with PEDs.
Rodriguez announced before this season that he will play out his contract, which ran through next season, and then retire. The final year and a half of that deal will be spent coaching the players, rather than playing with them.
The 41-year-old was very emotional during the press conference, stating "it's tough", and later saying "I love this game and I love this team....And today I'm saying goodbye." He also went on to call it "awkward" sitting on the bench for most of the season.
The team is contractually obligated to pay Rodriguez the remainder of his $21 million salary for this year, as well as the $21 million he's owed for next season. This is all part of the 10-year, $275 million contract, which was the largest deal in baseball at the time he signed it.
The former third baseman and shortstop has played in just 62 games this season, hitting .209 with nine home runs and 29 RBIs. That does not take away from his career accolades, which includes three MVPs, 14 All-Star appearances, and ranking fourth on the all-time home run list with 696 big flies in 19 seasons.
All of those accomplishments and numbers are Hall of Fame worthy, everything about A-Rod's career is Hall of Fame worthy......everything except his history with PEDs.
