Yankees Release Alex Rodriguez, Announcing His Last Game Is Friday

“And today I’m saying goodbye”. This is also a proud day. I was 18 when I broke into the big leagues.

“Of course I think I can play baseball. I love this game and I love this team”, he said.

After Friday’s game at Yankee Stadium, New York says it will release A-Rod.

Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner had reached out to Rodriguez on Wednesday about possibly retiring.

Rodriguez told FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal that the Yankees will play him at designated hitter on Friday against the Rays before he’s released.

“This was a Yankee decision”, said the slugger, who now has 696 home runs and 2084 RBI on his resume but who has struggled all season producing quality at-bats.

Cashman also stated that A-Rod “could change his mind”, apparently meaning he could decide not to take an advisor’s role with the team, or possibly chose to sign and play elsewhere. “You always think you have one more hit in you”, Rodriguez said. Even when Rodriguez finally won a title in 2009, hitting.378 throughout the postseason, there was no mea culpa to be found from any of the critics – Rodriguez merely did what he was paid to do. He only has seven at-bats and one start since July 22.

How good was A-Rod?

Cashman, for emphasis, took off his 2009 ring and placed it in front of him when asked what Rodriguez’s legacy in NY would be.

Rodriguez assembled 13 straight seasons of at least 100 RBI and 14 overall.

Rodriguez ranks fourth all-time in home runs with 696, behind only Barry Bonds (762), Henry Aaron (755) and Babe Ruth (714), but the designated hitter hasn’t been in the lineup since August 2, fueling speculation his career was reaching its end.

Alex will then become a special instructor and advisor for the Yankees until December 31, 2017. Rodriguez, famously, was suspended the entire 2014 season for his steroid use.

In 62 games, he’s batting just.204 with 44 hits and 9 home runs. His well-documented and admitted steroid use also makes a call from Cooperstown unlikely.

“Obviously, he’s had a very exciting career, with ups and downs”, Yankees GM Brian Cashman said.

The quarter-billion dollar deal was worth more than the team he played for and the stadium he played his home games in – combined. I enjoyed the past 20 years, seeing those acciomplishments. I’m sure it was hard for them.

Financially, Rodriguez has done well for himself. It was the largest contract ever signed in professional sports, doubling the previous high water mark – Kevin Garnett’s six-year, $126 million deal. After that season, the Rangers made a blockbuster trade to send Rodriguez to the Yankees. Rodriguez later opted out of that contract and signed a new $275 million deal with NY following the 2007 season. A January 2013 report in the Miami New Times strongly linked Rodriguez to the Biogenesis anti-aging clinic, whose records seemed to indicate Rodriguez used PEDs in multiple seasons following his 2009 mea culpa.

The kid who grew up trying to sneak into University of Miami baseball games as a youngster donated nearly $4 million for the Hurricanes’ stadium which now bears his name.

The kid who grew up at the Boys & Girls Club of Coconut Grove has been a champion of their programs and has made numerous financial contributions to continue their work not only locally bbut nationally as well.

A 14-time all-star, Rodriguez saw his playing time dip lately – along with his once lofty statistics.

When the fourth-place Yankees (55-55) traded veterans Aroldis Chapman, Andrew Miller and Carlos Beltran leading up to last week’s trade deadline, they made it clear they were turning toward a youth movement.

“The last four weeks have been awkward, painful and embarrassing”, Rodriguez said. “I’m going to get some at-bats on Friday. So I’m excited about Friday”.

Rodriguez and the club made the announcement before Sunday’s home game against Cleveland.

“I would have had an unbelievable time going after them”, Rodriguez said. “That wasn’t in the cards”.

“After spending several days discussing this plan with Alex, I am pleased that he will remain a part of our organization moving forward and transition into a role in which I know he can flourish”, Yankees managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner said in a press release.