Alex Rodriguez as a Texas Ranger
A-Rod's Baseball Career Ascends in the Lone Star State
Feb 15, 2008
After spending the first six years of his career in Seattle, Alex Rodriguez became a free agent at the close of the 2000 season, and soon signed the richest contract in sports history when he inked a 10-year, $252 million deal with the Texas Rangers. Over the next three years, he developed into an even better player than he had been with the Mariners.
In 2001, he hit .318 with a league-leading 52 home runs and 135 RBI. He also led the American League in total bases (393) and finished fourth in hits with 201. The Rangers, however, did not improve. The year before, the team won just 71 games; with A-Rod on board they pulled out two more victories and finished in last place with a 73-89 record.
2002 was an even better year for A-Rod from a statistical standpoint. He led all of baseball with 57 home runs and 142 RBI. He also finally gained recognition for his superb defensive pla, winning the first Gold Glove award of his career. But the Rangers finished last once again, winning just 72 games, and trailing the Oakland Athletics by 31 games in the American League West. Miguel Tejada, who led the Oakland A’s to 103 wins and the division title, edged out A-Rod for MVP honors.
After years of close calls, Rodriguez finally broke through and won the American League MVP award in 2003. He did so on the strength of a .298 batting average, a league best 47 home runs, 118 RBI and 124 runs scored. He won his second Gold Glove and beat out Carlos Delgado for Most Valuable Player honors.
Despite A-Rod's remarkable three year performance, the Rangers finished in dead last yet again. After the season, it became clear that Texas was trying to move A-Rod and his huge contract in order to free up dollars for their very promising youth movement.
First, the Red Sox bit. But they didn't want to pay the entirety of the contract. So A-Rod and his agent sat down with the Red Sox and Rangers and worked out a renegotiation. Under the plan, the Rangers would pay a portion of the contract and Rodriguez would agree to a cut his salary. The teams agreed to the trade, but the Major league Baseball Player's Association vetoed the trade, saying that they did not want A-Rod to set a precedent for lowering salaries on long-term contracts.
A month later the Yankees worked out a trade that was accepted by the Commissioner and the Player's Association. A-Rod was now a New York Yankee.
