Rodriguez returns to Yankees (officially)
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- December
- 13
This press release from the Yankees …
YANKEES SIGN 3B ALEX RODRIGUEZ TO A 10-YEAR CONTRACT
The New York Yankees announced today they have signed third baseman Alex Rodriguez, three-time American League Most Valuable Player, to a 10-year contract.
Rodriguez, 32, established career-highs with 143 runs and 156 RBI in 2007 while hitting .314 (183-for-583) with 54 home runs and 24 stolen bases in 158 games with the Yankees. He became the first player in Major League history to record at least 140R, 50HR, 150RBI and 20SB in a single season, earning his second American League Most Valuable Player Award in four seasons with the Yankees, as well as Baseball America and The Sporting News “Player of the Year†honors.
In 2007, Rodriguez led the Majors in runs, home runs and RBI, joining Babe Ruth (1920-21, 1926), Ted Williams (1942) and Mickey Mantle (1956) as the only players to finish a season with the outright Major League lead in each of those three categories in a single season since RBI became an official statistic in 1920 (credit: Elias Sports Bureau). He also paced the A.L. in slugging percentage (.645) and total bases (376), ranked second with 85 extra-base, fourth with a .422 on-base percentage and tied for seventh with 95 walks.
The 11-time All-Star has hit 518 career home runs for sole possession of 17th place on baseball’s all-time list. He has hit at least 50HR in three separate seasons (54 in 2007; 57 in 2002; 52 in 2001), becoming the fourth player in Major League history to have three or more seasons with 50 home runs (Babe Ruth, Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa each did it four times). He is also one of only three players in Major League history, along with Willie Mays and Barry Bonds, to record at least 500 career home runs and 250 stolen bases.
Over his last four seasons – all with the Yankees – Rodriguez has led the club in runs (492), home runs (173), RBI (513), on-base percentage (.403), slugging percentage (.573) and games played (629). According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the only player to hit more home runs for the Yankees over a four-season span was Babe Ruth, whose highest four-year total was 209 from 1927-30. Over the last 10 seasons (1998-2007), no Major Leaguer has hit more home runs, recorded more RBI or scored more runs than Rodriguez (454, 1,275, 1,241). He is also the only player in Major League history to reach 35HR, 100 runs and 100 RBI in 10 consecutive seasons (1998-2007).
His 54HR in 2007 established the Yankees franchise record for most homers by a right-handed batter and were the most homers by any Yankees player since Roger Maris hit 61 home runs in 1961. Rodriguez also established a Major League record with 52HR from the third-base position (two as DH), surpassing the mark of 48 shared by Mike Schmidt (1980 with Philadelphia) and Adrian Beltre (2004 with Los Angeles-NL).
His 156 RBI in 2007 was the second-highest single-season total by a right-handed hitter in Yankees franchise history behind only Joe DiMaggio’s 167 in 1937 while his 143 runs scored was the highest single-season total in the A.L. since the Yankees’ Rickey Henderson scored 146 runs in 1985 and the second-highest single-season total by a Yankee in the last 70 years (since 1938).
Rodriguez was the #1 overall selection by the Seattle Mariners in the 1993 First-Year Player Draft. He was acquired by the Yankees from the Texas Rangers on February 16, 2004, in exchange for Alfonso Soriano and a player to be named later (INF Joaquin Arias).
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on Thursday, December 13th, 2007 at 11:16 am by Peter Abraham.
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Peter Abraham
you got your money
way to curb the rest of the bad news, Hank.
Peter
When will the press conference be? Why weren’t you given advanced notice on it? I want to hear A-Rod’s story behind this entire soap opera.
Thanks
You know, I thought I’d want to know exactly what transpired, but I don’t. I don’t care and it doesn’t add anything to my life to know who did/said what and when. It doesn’t change the fact that ARod wanted to re-join the Yankees; the Yankees wanted ARod back; ARod will be a Yankee for 10 more years.
Part of the press release along side the stats should mention that Arod has “never used steroids” with a finger pointing in someone’s general direction.
That sure is an “A-Rod-worthy” press release! It reads like a short story.
so where is this internet mitchell list?
I didn’t know that Boras had been hired to write Yankee press releases.
Complete list of names on the Mitchell Report
http://www.hotfootblog.com/2007/12/13/partial-list-of-names-on-mitchell-report/
Do you people seriously think A-rod juiced?
Nice, A-Rod! Welcome back to the Bronx!
PS I’m almost as bummed about the Varitek rumors as about the Yankee rumors. I root for the Yankees, but in the end, I just love baseball. Varitek’s always been a stand-up guy and a good role model, especially for a washed-up catcher like myself.
OK, I have to stop reading this blog now until the report actually comes out. I’m trying to beat the snow out today to get home, and my work’s not going to do itself.
why no more audio pete…why no more audio?
That’s sooo Alex, trying to upstage one of the earth-shattering announcements in baseball history. Trying to manipulate us so that we turn to him on one of the darkest days in Yankee history.
Just kidding. Welcome home, Alex.
So,
any idea as to how long Pettite could be suspended for?
a suspension is not a given, but what if he gets suspended for more then the 15 days that gibbons was suspended for?
thats 3 starts..
anyone think all of a sudden Johan becomes a Hot Topic?
Kile?
Have they no shame? Dude, the guy’s passed on, let him rest in peace!
The RS listed seem to be marginal (maybe with the exception of Taveras..at any rate, far more Yankees. Pettitte is a disappointment, if it’s true. IF.)
Mark Prior and Jeff Bagwell, that surprised me
Rebecca, a post on the last thread listed Nomar and Varitek, also. FWIW.
I think it’s a pretty depressing day for all of baseball, not just the Yankees.
Rebecca,
LOL. The list kinda looks like our Mitchell draft from the other night, huh? I hope Brandon kept the list. I want my prize.
This report is complete crap and I am sure that I am not the only fan that could give a rat’s patoot what it says…
None of the Killer B’s surprised me. Baseball players built like linebackers?
Why the timing of Arod announcement to the report? In case he’s on it?
How can they suspend anyone? Based on what? What some rat said?
Welcome back Alex! Finally some good news. I’m sure baseball doesn’t mind this time of the timing of the announcement.
R–OP:
Nomar, Nixon and Varitek(he was on another source list) are in no way marginal!
Lets be fair!
jennifer
i think a suspension can only be given if there is a positive test…
atleast thats what it should be.. so hopefully andy doesnt have a positive test..
No Gabe Kapler…..no Manny Rameriz…….no David Ortiz.I guess Mitchell can go back on the Red Sox payroll now.
surprised at Jeff Bagwell?? He has been a known user for yrs….his body shrunk like a cotton T left in the dryer for too long
I wrote off A-rod when he opted out and tried to convince myself the team would be fine without him. I have to say I am glad it worked out and he is back. He carried the team the first two months of last year.
I think now that this is done he will have an excellent 2008.
But it sure would be near impossible to improve on last year with the exception of leading the team to a championship.
The Mick,
While I jokingly said that Alex did it to upstage Mitchell, it’s more likely that the Yankees timed it to deflect attention from themselves & their players if they’re prominent in the report.
Or, people will be so busy bitching about the report, they’ll conveniently forget to bitch about Alex’s mega-deal.
PAPI!!
All of the Red Sox players supposedly listed are all former Red Sox except Varitek. We will be punished for Damon using roids with the Sox. Carl Everett, Nomah, Offerman, Manny Alexander, they are all gone for the Sawx and they wont be cost with suspensions. We will have at least 5 guys getting suspended. It is not surprising that the Sox will lose Varitek maybe and that is it.
Or, more likely, writers will harp on the Yankees in the Mitchell report AND Alex’s contract.
Mr Uh Oh
Jose Guillen was suspended and all he did was buy HGH. Never had a positive test.
mel,
do the yanks know arod is on the list?
if he is, he becomes the next barry bonds.
Depends on the timing.
i didnt see jason lane or morgan ensberg..
in 05 them two had monster seasons and they havent done anything since..
if bagwell and biggio are on the list..
i would bet some money that lane and ensberg would be also..
what about lidge? oswalt?
clemens,pettite, bagwell, biggio, lidge, oswalt, ensberg, lane?
man.. if that would be the case.. houston really looks bad
“I guess Mitchell can go back on the Red Sox payroll now.”
Isnt Varitek the Captin of that team?
Steve
if thats the case, then pettite will probably get more then 15 day suspension…
he could be looking at 50…
and that would be a huge hit to the yanks rotation
Mick,
I don’t think that Alex is on the list, that would’ve leaked out months ago.
I’m just saying, good news, bad news on the same day, lessens the pain of the bad news.
doreen.
Alex wanted to be a Yankee? Or did he just want yankee $$$?
I’m guessing the timing of the A-Rod announcement is to split the headlines and minimilize what A-Rod has to say about his journey back to the Yankees.
Sort of like your 16 year old daughter telling you she failed her Math test and by the way she’s pregnant.
The math test takes a back seat.
Today might be the only day that A-Rod takes a back seat in MLB news.
Oooh, I haven’t seen that other list…link?
I am convinced Alex is not on this list.
where is it written there will be suspensions?
I’d bet that Varitek is a more popular figure for RS fans than either Pettitte or Clemens are for Yankee fans.
I wonder if people will be so quick to say we dont need Johan anymore. We probably should have made the trade earlier because now the Twins can hold us up for even more if we want to trade for him. Say bye bye to Hughes, IPK, Tabata and AJax if we want Johan now.
steve, why is that?
steve,
why is that?
The Mick -
Either way, it’s all the same to me. He’s playing for the Yankees for the next 10 years.
Steve that is something you would do. Panic because Pettitte might be suspended and the Yankees will be in trouble. That trade is not happening.
What suspensions? Where is it written.
Rebecca–Optimist Prime–Save the Three Musketeers!
December 13th, 2007 at 11:38 am
Kile?
Have they no shame? Dude, the guy’s passed on, let him rest in peace!
The RS listed seem to be marginal (maybe with the exception of Taveras..at any rate, far more Yankees. Pettitte is a disappointment, if it’s true. IF.)
___________________________________________________
The only thing linking Pettitte to this thing is Grimsley. Not sure if he figured throwing out bigger names than him would get him a better deal or what. McNamee was also his trainer, but, he never said anything about giving Pettitte any steroids, not that I’ve seen, anyway.
(1) I join those who are concerned that this report will be used to suspend players ….. even if it would adversely affect the Yankees (more than the Sox). Time to move on.
(2) Those who are incredulous that Manny isn’t listed are all wet. Manny was a hitting prodigy when he was a teenager (much like ARod). There is no suspicious “spike” in his development. His productivity has steadily declined as he reaches his mid-30s. None of the typical warning signs are there (i.e. mid-career stagnation followed by a “Rocket-like” upswing).
(3) I join those who have misgivings over Mitchell’s affiliation with the Red Sox. But his reputation is impeccable; if the report has a factual basis, it should be judged on its own merits.
(4) I assume that the report will acknowledge that it is not all-inclusive … what hasn’t been uncovered can’t be included.
(5) No big deal, but what is the reason for the timing behind the release of ARod “news?” Was this the Yankees’ idea? Why trample the real news story of the day? Strange.
(6) Here’s hoping we can get back to Johan Santana rumors in the near future.
Pettitte’s never failed a drug test. He’s just being named cause he’s a workout buddy with Clemens.
Doreen,
It will be 10 years to life for arod and yankee fans if he keeps winning mvps and we keep losing.
I am saying that the reason Cashman gave for not going after Johan anymore was because of Pettitte. If Andy gets suspended 50 games, then we are in trouble. And IF and that is a big IF we decide we need to go after Johan to keep ourselves in the race, then the Twins will hold all the bargaining power and we will have to trade a lot more than we would have previously.
Mick, you’re aware that the Yankees haven’t won anything since Jeter was named as team captain, right?
steve,
How is andy getting suspended 50 games? On the heresay of a clubhouse boy? Where is the proof?
I’m sure that if Pettitte thought there was anything to this, he wouldn’t have come back this and have to deal with this. He could have retired and rode off into the sunset.
green beret.
what about the 4 he won? are you serious?
I just love the timing of this announcement. Go Yanks, go Alex!
Here’s the apparent list
http://www.wnbc.com/sports/14845845/detail.html
The Mick
I hope Andy doesnt get suspended but the precedent has been set that Jose Guillen got suspended without any positive test. He was caught purchasing HGH. If someone is there to testify that they provided Andy with steroids, then that is enough to get him suspended.