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Biography
byname of Alexander Emmanuel Rodriguez
(1975–)
Fun Facts
* Upon signing with Mariners, Alex visited Ken Griffey Jr. in Seattle. The two
had dinner, played video games and shared stories about being the top pick
in the draft.
* When Alex made his debut in 1994, he was the youngest player in the
majors since Jose Rijo in 1984. At 18, he became the youngest shortstop
since Robin Yount in 1974.
* In 1995, Alex became the youngest shortstop ever to play in a post-
season game.
* Alex’s .358 average in 1996 was the highest for an AL righty since Joe
DiMaggio hit .381 in 1939. It also was the highest batting average ever for a
player who began a season younger than age 21. The previous mark
belonged to Ty Cobb, who hit .350 in 1907.
* In 1996, Alex became the first AL shortstop to win a batting title since
Lou Boudreau, in 1944. He was the first #9 hitter to do so. Bill Mueller of the
Boston Red Sox matched the feat in 2003.
* Alex hit his 100th career home run in August of 1998. Only three players
in history reached the century mark at a younger age: Mel Ott, Tony
Conigliaro, and Eddie Mathews.
* Alex tied Jim Thome for the big-league lead with 47 homers in 2003. In
turn, he became the first player to top the majors in HRs in consecutive
seasons since Mark McGwire in 1998-99. His streak of 40+ homers in six
straight seasons matched Sammy Sosa (1998-2003) for second-longest in
baseball history behind Babe Ruth (seven, 1926-32).
* In 2005, Alex hit 26 home runs in Yankee Stadium. This broke the record
of 25 for righthanders shared by Joe DiMaggio and Gary Sheffield. That year,
Alex also became the youngest player to hit 400 home runs.
* Alex hit three home runs off of Bartolo Colon in a 2005 game. His 10 RBIs
on the day were the second most in AL history behind Tony Lazzeri.
* In July of 2006, Alex rapped out his 2,000th hit. It was also his 450th
home run.
* In 2007, Alex joined Vern Stephens and Cy Williams as the only major
leaguers to have three career walk-off grand slams.
* Alex hit two homers in 2007 as a DH. His 52 as a third baseman
established a new mark for that position.
* In 1998, Alex made People’s 50 Most Beautiful People list.
* Alex was a big baseball card collector as a kid. At one point, he had more
than 200,000 cards in his possession.
* The University of Miami renamed its baseball stadium in honor of Alex. He
has donated some $3 million to Mark Light Field at Alex Rodriguez Park.
* When Alex married his former wife Cynthia, they were eager to avoid a
media crush. The couple held a small ceremony in Dallas and made sure it
was one of the city’s best-kept secrets.
* In November of 2004, Alex and Cynthia had their first child, Natasha.
* Among Alex’s favorites are: golf and basketball (sports to play and
watch), Batman and Robin (cartoon characters), “My Way” by Frank Sinatra
(song), Eddie Murphy and Michael Douglas (actor), Leonardo da Vinci
(historic figure), The Rolling Stones (band), Of Mice and Men (book), Cocoa
Puffs (cereal), Camden Yards (ballpark) and Armani (suit style).
* In April of 2005, Alex was credited with saving the life of 8-year-old
Patrick McCarthy when he pulled the youngster out of the way of a speeding
truck in Boston.
* In May of 2005, Alex and Cynthia donated $200,000 to a children's
mental health center in Washington Heights.
* Alex has an older half-brother, Victor Rodriguez, who is an officer in the
US Air Force.
“Anyone can forget about talent, but if you're also a good person, your name
will be remembered for a long time.”
“Enjoy your sweat because hard work doesn't guarantee success, but
without it, you don't have a chance.”