How MLB’s ‘Greatest Star’ Alex Rodriguez RUINED his career and TARNISHED his legacy
Alex Rodriguez hit 696 home runs and had over 2,000 RBIs in a two decade career, yet his achievements will be forever be tainted.
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Alex Rodriguez (Image via Imago)
Alex Rodriguez, often known by his nickname A-Rod, is considered by many one of the “greatest stars” of all time. In a career that spanned over two decades, Rodriguez appeared for three teams – Seattle Mariners, the Texas Rangers, and the New York Yankees.
During his stay in the MLB, A-Rod claimed several accolades and became one of the great entertainers. In his 22-year stay in the big leagues, Rodriguez earned 14 All-Star appearances, was a 3-time league MVP and won the World Series in 2009 with the Yankees.
Despite all of this and his extraordinary talent, A-Rod’s actions off the field have ruined his career and tarnished his legacy. His usage of Performance-Enhancing Drugs (PEDs) has made him one of the biggest controversial figures in sports history and tarnished his legacy. Let’s delve a bit deeper into this.
Early Years and Success
Born in 1975 in Manhattan, New York, Alex Rodriguez grew up being an avid supporter of baseball. In high school he was a top star and in 1993, he was regarded as a top prospect in baseball. He had the chance to play for the University of Miami baseball and football team. However, he turned them down and joined Seattle Mariners as a first overall draft pick in the 1993 Amateur draft at the age of 17.
In 1994, he became the third shortstop to play in a major league game at the age. As of 2024, he is still the last player to play in this position at this age. His rookie years brought out great success.
During the 1996 season, he hit 36 home runs and had 123 RBI, earning him his first All-Star appearance. In a seven-year spell with the Mariners, A-Rod hit 40 or more home runs in three seasons. He would become a cornerstone figure of the AL West side.
In 2000 he would become a free agent. Despite the Texas Rangers falling down to the last place in the AL West standings, he penned down a 10-year $252 million deal with them, which at that time was the biggest deal in MLB history.
In 2003, A-Rod led the American League in home runs, runs scored, and slugging percentage. This saw him win his first MVP award. During the offseason, the Rangers had agreed to trade him to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for Manny Ramirez. However, the MLB would later veto this deal.
A few months later, he was traded to the New York Yankees. At that time, he was considered the biggest star of MLB. It was also at this moment that talks of him using PEDs flared up.
First rumors and denial
From 2004 to 2007, Alex Rodriguez continued to remain in the headlines as he was alleged to have used performance-enhancing drugs. The baseball icon kept on denying these allegations time and time again.
In 2007, a report from Sports Illustrated left the MLB world stunned. In the report, Alex Rodriguez was named to have used the banned substances to enhance his performance. The following day, he would deny these allegations in an interview with CBS “60 Minutes”.
During the interview, he kept on saying “No” when asked if he ever had used any sort of substance. He would later emphasize that getting bigger and stronger was never a problem for him.
Getting big and being stronger was never my problem. I have never felt overmatched on the baseball field….I’m just trying to be the best I can with the ability that God gave me.
Alex Rodriguez said in an interview with CBS “60 Minutes”
It was in 2009 when another big bomb was dropped by SI on Rodriguez. The publication claimed that A-Rod had tested positive for steroid use in an anonymous testing program in 2003. The reports of these tests were not supposed to be disclosed. However, it got leaked and A-Rod found his name in the list of 104 players who had been found positive in this report.
Admission of usage of steroids
With the leak of this report, the media were left relentless. Several questions were raised against Alex Rodriguez, with one thing on the mind of everyone – did he actually use it? A few days after this report went viral, Rodriguez did admit to using steroids.
In an interview with ESPN‘s Peter Gammons, the Yankees shortstop admitted that he had used a banned substance. He though claimed that he had used this only during the 2001, 02, and 03 seasons and had been clean since then.
When I arrived in Texas in 2001, I felt an enormous amount of pressure. I felt like I had all the weight of the world on top of me, and I needed to perform, and perform at a high level every day… I did take a banned substance… I’m just sorry. I’m sorry for that time. I’m sorry to my fans.
Alex Rodriguez said while admitting the usage of steroids
The apology from A-Rod brought out divided opinions. While some felt that he was genuinely sorry for his actions, some called it a PR stunt.
Despite this, Rodriguez did play in the 2009 season. This year turned out to be the most memorable one for him on the pitch as he helped the Yankees to the World Series title. He was named the 2009 postseason MVP as he batted with a .365 average, hit 6 home runs, and had 18 RBIs. This turned out to be his one and only championship title.
The Biogenesis Scandal
A few years after admitting to the usage of steroids, Alex Rodriguez suffered the biggest shock of his life as the Biogenesis Scandal broke out. This would eventually lead to a long-term suspension of A-Rod from the MLB.
The Biogenesis of America was a health clinic run by Doctor Anthony Bosch, a friend of Rodriguez. In 2013, the lab came under the spotlight after a massive revelation from The Miami New Times.
In January of that year, the publication dropped a bombshell claiming that they had acquired certain documents from this clinic. In the reports, they claimed that documents showed Rodriguez and several other MLB stars receiving PEDs from Borsh.
The report further alleged that A-Rod had received several PEDs including Human Growth Hormone (HGH) and testosterone. This would lead to an investigation by the MLB.
It was later revealed that A-Rod had been using PEDs until late 2012. This was way more time than he previously claimed. In September of that year, the league handed Rodriguez a 211-game suspension, the biggest given to any player for using steroids. It was later reduced to 162 games through an appeal. This saw him miss the entirety of the 2014 campaign.
Aftermath of Biogenesis Scandal on Alex Rodriguez
The biogenesis scandal dealt a major blow to Alex Rodriguez’s public image. There was no turning back for him from here.
He would admit taking banned substances, offer his apology, and claim that his previous statements regarding not taking PEDs were false. He did return to action in 2015 but things were not the same for him anymore.
During that campaign, Rodriguez played 151 games. He still hit 33 home runs and had 86 RBIs. However, the history with PEDs saw many not acknowledging his efforts on the field.
In 2016, Rodriguez hung up his boots. In this final year, the shortstop hit 9 home runs and finished with 696 home runs, and 2086 RBI while batting with an average of .295. At that time, he was ranked fourth on the list of players for the most home runs.
Alex Rodriguez’s Legacy and Hall of Fame Contention
The usage of PEDs has delivered a major blow to the legacy of Alex Rodriguez. All of those great numbers and accomplishments have been tainted with his usage of steroids.
As for the MLB Hall of Fame contention, A-Rod may never see his name in Cooperstown. Had he got these numbers without the steroids, he would definitely have been a first-ballot entry.
However, with a past history of drugs, there is no point in him keeping hope that he gets elected. Barry Bonds, the guy who hit the most home runs in MLB history (762), did not make it into the Hall of Fame in his ten tries as he too had a history with steroids. The best he got was 66 percent.
This year, Rodriguez was on the ballot again. He received 37.1 percent votes, way less than the required 75 percent. If Bonds could not get in, chances are A-Rod will also not get in. His usage of PEDs will remain a dark chapter in his career.
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Vinay Dave
(1779 Articles Published)