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3. Alex Rodriguez

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3. Alex Rodriguez
  1. General
  2. Awards
  3. Career Stats
  • Born: July 27, 1975 in New York, NY USA
  • Weight: 230 lbs.
  • Height: 6'3"
  • Bats: R
  • Throws: R
  • Debut: July 08, 1994
  • Final Game: August 12, 2016
  • Silver Slugger - 1996
  • TSN All-Star - 1996
  • TSN Major League Player of the Year - 1996
  • Silver Slugger - 1998
  • TSN All-Star - 1998
  • Silver Slugger - 1999
  • Silver Slugger - 2000
  • TSN All-Star - 2000
  • Hank Aaron Award - 2001
  • Silver Slugger - 2001
  • TSN All-Star - 2001
  • Gold Glove - 2002
  • Hank Aaron Award - 2002
  • Silver Slugger - 2002
  • TSN All-Star - 2002
  • TSN Major League Player of the Year - 2002
  • Gold Glove - 2003
  • Hank Aaron Award - 2003
  • Most Valuable Player - 2003
  • Silver Slugger - 2003
  • TSN All-Star - 2003
  • Most Valuable Player - 2005
  • Silver Slugger - 2005
  • TSN All-Star - 2005
  • Hank Aaron Award - 2007
  • Most Valuable Player - 2007
  • Silver Slugger - 2007
  • TSN All-Star - 2007
  • TSN Major League Player of the Year - 2007
  • Silver Slugger - 2008
  • Babe Ruth Award - 2009
  • MVP - 1996
  • MVP - 1998
  • MVP - 1999
  • MVP - 2000
  • MVP - 2001
  • MVP - 2002
  • MVP - 2003
  • MVP - 2004
  • MVP - 2005
  • MVP - 2006
  • MVP - 2007
  • MVP - 2008
  • MVP - 2009
  • MVP - 2010
  • MVP - 2015
 
ABRHHRRBISBAVG
211324042623013924172658 0.295
 

Let's get all the derogatory stuff out of the way…and we know there is a lot.

While we talked about PED use a lot with Mark McGwire, Roger Clemens, Barry Bonds, et all., they were baseball superstars who took enhancements (allegedly) when the players' union and Major League Baseball had not yet agreed that they were banned substance.  That is important to note, as Alex Rodriguez was caught when there were penalties in place, leaving no doubt that he cheated and was suspended from the game for the entire 2014 season. 

There is more, of course.

The Yankees famously tried everything to get out of the lavish contract they signed him to. A-Rod folded in many postseasons and clutch situations. He was also not known to be the most cohesive figure in the clubhouse.

That is a lot of negative, and yet…

Alex Rodriguez is still one of the best players that ever played the game.

Touted as a superstar, Alex Rodriguez was the first overall choice of the 1993 Draft. In the year he turned 20, he won the American League Batting Title with a 36-homer season and an OPS of 1.045. A-Rod was the cornerstone of a young, dynamic Seattle Mariners team that was a strong World Series contender in the late '90s. He was considered the best offensive infielder in baseball and one of the game's most complete players. 

When he achieved free agency, Rodriguez signed what was at the time by far the richest contract in baseball history with the Texas Rangers. While he couldn't make Texas a contender, Rodrigues did not disappoint, winning three straight Home Run titles and his first MVP (2003). Texas, however, could no longer afford him, and after a deal was voided to Boston, A-Rod moved to New York, where the most controversial yet productive period began.

While many remember the bad times with New York, it should never be forgotten that this was where he won two more MVP Awards, two more Home Run Titles, and three more Slugging Titles.  He went yard 351 times as a New York Yankee alone!  As mentioned, his postseason performance (.259/.365/.457 over 330 Plate Appearances) is well below his regular season numbers. His 2009 postseason was excellent and a part of why the Yankees won the 2009 World Series.  If he does get into the Hall of Fame, shouldn't it be as a New York Yankee?

Love him or hate him, we are talking about a player who is a statistical juggernaut.  He has a career bWAR over 117, is a member of the 3,000 Hit Club and smashed 696 Home Runs.  His career Slash Line of .295/.380/.550 is also excellent considering the longevity of his career.  These digits are impossible to ignore, no matter what lens you use.

For the record, if we here at Notinhalloffame.com had a Baseball Hall of Fame vote, we would vote for him (we think).  Maybe we would not.

The issue that we deal with in regards to Rodriguez is that his PED use took place AFTER the MLBPA agreed to the parameters of what would happen if you used them. Not only that, he was suspended twice. A-Rod might be welcomed back into the fold as a broadcaster, but the voters are rejecting him, and we understand why.

The Bullet Points

  • Country of Origin: U.S.A. (New York City, NY)
  • Eligible In: Saturday, 01 January 2022
  • Position: Short Stop, Third Base, Designated Hitter
  • Played For: New York Yankees, Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers
  • Major Accolades and Awards:

    World Series Rings (1) (New York Yankees, 2009)
    MVP (3) (AL) (2003, 2005 & 2007)
    The SPorting News Major League Player of the Year (3) (1996, 2002 & 2007)
    All-Star (14) (1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010 & 2011)
    Silver Slugger (10) (AL) (1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2007 & 2008)
    Gold Glove (2) (AL) (2002 & 2003)
    Hank Aaron Award (4) (AL) (2001, 2002, 2003 & 2007)
    Babe Ruth Award (1) (AL) (2009)
    Highest bWAR for a Position Player (AL) (6) (1998, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2005 & 2007)
    Highest Offensive bWAR (AL) (9) (1996, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2007 & 2008)
    Highest Slugging Percentage (AL) (4) (2003, 2005, 2007 & 2008)
    Highest OPS (AL) (2) (2005 & 2007)
    Highest OPS+ (AL) (2) (2005 & 2007)
    Most At Bats (AL) (1) (1998)
    Most Plate Appearances (AL) (1) (1998)
    Most Runs Scored (AL) (5) (1996, 2001, 2003, 2005 & 2007)
    Most Hits (AL) (1) (1998)
    Most Total Bases (AL) (4) (1996, 2001, 2002 & 2007)
    Most Doubles (AL) (1) (1996)
    Most Home Runs (AL) (5) (2001, 2002, 2003, 2005 & 2007)
    Most Runs Batted In (AL) (2) 2002 & 2007)
    Most Extra Base Hits (AL) (1) (2001)
    Highest Power-Speed # (AL) (4) (1997, 1998, 2004 & 2007)
    Highest Win Probability Added (AL) (2) (1998 & 2007)
    Highest Championship Win Probability Added (AL) (1) (2007)
    Most Putouts by a Shortstop (AL) (2) (2001 & 2002)
    Most Double Plays Turned by a Shortstop (AL) (3) (2000, 2002 & 2003)
    Highest Fielding Percentage by a Third Base (AL) (1) (2009)
    Highest Fielding Percentage by a Shortstop (AL) (1) (2003)

  • Other Points of Note:

    Other Top Ten MVP Finishes: (Won the AL MVP in 2003, 2005 & 2007)
    (AL: 1996, 2nd), (AL: 1998, 9th), (AL: 2000, 3rd), (AL: 2002, 2nd), (AL: 2008, 8th) & (AL: 2009, 10th)       
    10 Top Ten Finishes (bWAR for Position Players)
    12 Top Ten Finishes (Offensive bWAR)
    4 Top Ten Finishes (Defensive bWAR)
    3 Top Ten Finishes (Batting Average)
    10 Top Ten Finishes (On Base Percentage)
    9 Top Ten Finishes (Slugging Percentage)
    9 Top Ten Finishes (OPS)
    9 Top Ten Finishes (OPS+)
    11 Top Ten Finishes (Runs Scored)
    5 Top Ten Finishes (Hits)
    9 Top Ten Finishes (Total Bases)
    2 Top Ten Finishes (Doubles)
    12 Top Ten Finishes (Home Runs)
    11 Top Ten Finishes (Runs Batted In)
    8 Top Ten Finishes (Walks)
    3 Top Ten Finishes (Stolen Bases)
    8 Top Ten Finishes (Extra Base Hits)
    1 Top Ten Finish (Singles)
    12 Top Ten Finishes (Power-Speed #)
    11 Top Ten Finishes (Win Probability Added)
    5 Top Ten Finishes (Championship Win Probability Added)

  • Notable All Time Rankings: 4. Runs Batted In: 2,086
    4. Power-Speed #: 446.8
    5. Home Runs: 696
    7, Total Bases: 4,087
    7. Extra Base Hits: 1,275
    8. Runs Scored
    12. bWAR for Position Players: 117.8
    13. Offensive bWAR: 115.3
    14. Sacrifice Flies: 111
    15. Times Hit By Pitch: 176
    16. Plate Appearances: 12,207
    19. At Bats: 10,566
    19. Outs Made: 7,915
    23. Hits: 3,115
    28. Games Played: 2,784
    29. Win Probability Added: 59.2
    28. Slugging Percentage: .550
    33. Doubles: 498
    35. Fielding Percentage by a Shortstop: .977
    37. Fielding Percentage by a Third Baseman: .977
    37. Walks: 1,338
    42. OPS: .930
    51. Stolen Base Percentage: 81.24
    59. Assists: 5,681
    64. Double Plays Turned by a Shortstop: 853
    75. Double Plays Turned by a Third Baseman: 205
    80. Singles: 1,840
    85. OPS+: 140
    91. Assists by a Third Baseman: 2,076
    99. Assists by a Shortstop: 3,605
    98. Total Zone Runs by a Shortstop: 18
  • Vote Percentage Received for the Hall of Fame: 2022: 34.3%
    2023: 35.7%
    2024: 34.8%

Should Alex Rodriguez be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 32.7%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 12.9%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 9.9%
No opinion. - 0%
No way! - 44.6%

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