Why He's No. 48

Rodriguez is a charismatic person and a generous athlete with strong community connections. 1998 marked the first year of the Alex Rodriguez Evening with the All Stars benefit, which has since raised more than $500,000 for The Boys and Girls Club of Miami. The club was vital in his growth when he was just 7 years old. Construction began in 2005 for the Alex Rodriguez Learning Center in Miami, which will focus on the advancement of literacy, computer study and math skills for children.

A-Rod has helped the organization out on a number of occasions, even playing Santa Claus in 2004 at a christmas party which treated kids to pizza, gifts and other treats. Rodriguez has also set up a scholarship fund with the University of Miami and participates in several fundraising evenings. In 2003, he also funded $3.9 million for the renovation of the University of Miami's baseball field.

Back Stage

After failing in the postseason with the Yankees in 2006, A-Rod has seemingly worn out his welcome in New York. His regular season statistics continue to sparkle, but they are overshadowed by his inability to make clutch hits in the playoffs. There have already been some preliminary rumors about the Yankees trading him, and although his lofty contract figures seem to be an impediment, there will be suitors waiting with open arms for this surefire hall of famer. Rodriguez is considered one of the best all–around baseball players of all time. He is the youngest player ever to hit 500 home runs, breaking the record Jimmie Foxx set in 1939. In December 2007, Rodriguez and the Yankees agreed to a 10-year-$275 million contract and $30 million more if he breaks the all-time home run record of 762. This contract was the richest contract in baseball history (breaking his previous record of $252 million). In February 2009, Rodriguez admitted to using banned substances from 2001 to 2003, citing "an enormous amount of pressure to perform". Rodriguez was drafted first overall by the Seattle Mariners in 1993. He was signed by Roger Jongewaard right out of high school. In 1994, Rodriguez played for Seattle's AAA affiliate, the Calgary Cannons. In 32 games, he had 37 hits in 119 at bats for a .311 batting average. The following year, Rodriguez took over as the Mariners' regular shortstop (SS) and emerged as a star player, hitting 36 HR, driving in 123 runs, and pacing the American League (AL) with a .358 batting average, the highest for an AL right-handed batter since Joe DiMaggio hit . Rodriguez entered 2000 as the cornerstone player of the Mariners franchise, which had recently dealt superstars Randy Johnson and Ken Griffey, Jr. Rodriguez put up great numbers as the team's remaining superstar; he hit 41 HR with 132 RBI and had a .316 batting average. He set a career high for walks (100) and became the only shortstop to have 100 runs, RBI, and walks in the same season. Rodriguez's power hitting numbers improved with his move to Texas. In his first season with the Rangers, Alex produced one of the top offensive seasons ever for a shortstop, leading the American League with 52 HR, 133 runs scored, and 393 total bases. He became the first player since 1932 with 50 homers and 200 hits in a season, just the third shortstop to ever lead his league in homers.

Forcaste

Alex Rodriguez is a two-time Major League Baseball MVP and is one of the top players in the league. He is a member of the 50 Home Run Club and is one of only four members in the 40-40 club (home runs and steals). He is well known for signing the most lucrative contract in sports history -- a 10-year, $252-million pact with the Texas Rangers was signed and sealed in 2000.

At one point in his career, he was frequently touted as a five-tool player and he was arguably one of the best in the sport. Unfortunately, like a number of players who have sported the pinstripes, A-Rod has seemingly shriveled under the bright lights in New York as a Yankee.