Former Yankees manager Joe Torre once called Alex Rodriguez ‘A-Fraud’ for his obsession of rekindling relationship with Derek Jeter

Discover why Alex Rodriguez former manager Joe Torre gave him the nickname 'A-fraud' despite his stardom during career years.

Former Yankees manager Joe Torre once called Alex Rodriguez ‘A-Fraud’ for his obsession of rekindling relationship with Derek Jeter

Joe Torre with A-Rod [Pic credit: Bleacher Report]

In 2009, the New York Yankees‘ former manager Joe Torre expressed his disappointment with the behavior of the star player Alex Rodriguez. Nicknamed ‘A-Rod’, Rodriguez is one of the best players that baseball has ever seen. However, his manager would disagree with the statement and call him “A-Fraud”.

In his book, ”The Yankee Years’, Torre spoke about the 12 years he spent managing the New York Yankees. The book gives an insider image of how he dealt with the team, his tactics, and his explanations about some difficult decisions. What seems to be the major point of the book is the disappointing comments he made toward A-Rod. Despite winning two AL MVP awards under him, there were tensions off the field between Torre and A-Rod.

In the book, Torre also recalled how A-Rod delved into his relationship with teammate Derek Jeter. After joining the Yankees in 2004, A-Rod tried his very best to get into the Yankees’ culture. Due to his behavior backstage, people start calling him ‘A-Fraud’ behind his back.

Mike Borzello, a former Yankee bullpen coach and one of A-Rod’s close friends labeled him to be a phony. He mentioned that A-Rod tried to act up to please others instead of being his usual self.

The book talks about how Rodriguez was obsessed with his relationship with Jeter during their time together. Jeter spent his entire career with the New York Yankees. He was the captain of the Yankees when A-Rod joined the team. Serving as a role model to any upcoming new players of the team A-Rod was fascinated by him.

There was an inside joke in the clubhouse regarding A-Rod’s affection toward Jeter. They pointed it to be similar to the 1992 film, ‘Single White Female’ in which a woman becomes so obsessed with her roommate, that she starts dressing like her.

Alex Rodriguez beat the ‘A-Fraud’ allegations by doing the talk on the pitch

Alex Rodriguez
Alex Rodriguez (Image via Imago)

Responding to the criticism faced, Torre stated that he is proud of the book and has not violated any rules and morals of the clubhouse. Meanwhile, A-Rod continued to have off-field criticisms regarding his personal life and drug abuse.

Over the years many things changed with time. A-Rod would go on to spend a few more years with the Yankees before hanging up his boots in 2016. He ended his astonishing career with 696 home runs to his name. He also had 2,086 RBIs with 3,115 hits at an average of .296.

After retiring from the field, A-Rod continued to stay connected with the game as an analyst. He now has his own podcast, ”KayRod Cast” along with Michael Hay. He has also been a successful businessman and philanthropist.

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