Alex Rodriguez Retiring?

According to ESPN, New York Yankees’ designated hitter and third baseman Alex Rodriguez will reportedly retire when his contract ends after the completion of the 2017 season.

The forty-year old has apparently said that nothing is finalized in terms of his retirement but considering his contract will near its end and because he will be forty-two at that time, it seems like it’s an appropriate time.

A-Rod’s 2015 comeback campaign, after he served a year suspension for violating the MLB’s regulations in regards to performance enhancing drugs, was more than anyone could have anticipated. He hit thirty-three homers with a .250 batting average and 86 RBIs.

Although Rodriguez’ career has been tarnished by multiple steroid accusations and whether or not his tremendous work on the field will actually withstand, his baseball IQ has always been above the rest.

Rodriguez currently has 687 homers, fourth on the list for most homers hit in a career; he needs just twenty-seven to tie Babe Ruth for third place.

Drafted as the first overall pick in the 1993 MLB Draft by the Seattle Mariners, Rodriguez made his Major League debut in the summer of 1994. Along with Derek Jeter and Boston’s Nomar Garciaparra, the trio were seen as the best shortstops in baseball upon their arrival into the majors.

After the 2000 season, Rodriguez signed a 10 year/$252 million contract with the Texas Rangers.

A-Rod was traded to the New York Yankees in February 2004 in exchange for Alfonso Soriano and Joaquin Arias. This was also the time in which Rodriguez made the switch to third base from shortstop.