Yankees News: Heated Debate Triggered Over Alex Rodriguez’s Shirt-Number Being Retired After His ‘Old Timer’s Game’

Alex Rodriguez is probably one of the most polarizing figures of baseball. He set the record with 696 career home runs — a record that only four others have reached, and that says a lot about his effect on the diamond. For over two decades, A-Rod worked his magic in the game and earned three MVP titles, a World Series ring, and 10 Silver Slugger awards. He was with the New York Yankees in twelve of the seasons and with the team he went to great highs and heard plenty of cheers, but there were also a lightning of criticisms and boos.

Even with a career as stellar as his, Alex Rodriguez didn’t find his name on the Hall of Fame list. Not just that, the New York Yankees haven’t even retired his iconic n0.13 jersey as of yet. While Alex Rodriguez was with the entire team at the Old Timers event, the talks about how the team should pay their honors and retire his jersey made a comeback. Except, is it all that straightforward given his record with the team hasn’t been without the lows?

A Hall of Fame talent with a legacy tainted by mishaps!ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

There isn’t a silver of doubt—Alex Rodriguez is a star of a baseball player. With the Yanks itself, he hit a .238 with a .900 OPS, a complete hall-of-fame-worthy performance. However, his work and efforts are tainted red by one thing—his controversies. He was suspended for 211 games back in 2013 when he was in his prime, the reason being the use of PEDs. And that was when his fandom started falling off the cliff, but what’s even more shocking is that this wasn’t his first time.

Polls of the dayShould the Yankees retire Alex Rodriguez’s shirt number?

Have an interesting take?

Do you think Shohei Ohtani’s injury will impact the Dodgers’ playoff chances?

Maybe, depends on recovery

Have an interesting take?

What impressed you the most about Quincy Wilson’s latest performance?

His smooth football moves

His new track and field skills

His potential for Rookie of the Year

Have an interesting take?

Who stole the show at Daytona: Michael Jordan or Ken Griffey Jr.?

Have an interesting take?

Alex Rodriguez was busted in 2009, too, for using PEDs, which also added to the reasons behind him losing out on being a Hall of Famer. One would think that this wouldn’t bother him, but it does. Back in October, A-Rod admitted not seeing his number in the Monument Park kind of strikes him. But then, he realized that it wouldn’t change anything, so, he backtracked and explained to Fox News how it was not his place to say whether he does or doesn’t deserve the honor.

“I would love that—that would be a dream come true. But that’s Hal Steinbrenner’s and Randy Levine’s decision. If they say it’s a good thing, I’ll be the first one there. If not, I’ll still love the Yankees and support the Yankees and hope they win a championship this year,” said Rodriguez Recently, Alex Rodriguez made his debut at the Yankees’ Old Timers event, sparking a whirlwind of emotions among fans. Yankees fans voiced their desire to see A-Rod honored the right way— having his jersey retired.

Fans rallying behind Alex Rodriguez’s number getting retiredA Yankees fan said.” Most underappreciated Yankee of all time.” Now, Alex Rodriguez was invited by the New York Yankees for their Old Timers event. It’s a long-time tradition of the team and this time they were honoring those who helped the team clench their 2009 victory at the World Series. A-Rod, being a huge part of the win, did come to the event, and it was his first time. But his fans are not satisfied by just this honor shown by the team, they wanted more.

Article continues below this ad

Another user echoed the same and said, “Retire his number and put him in the Hall. Like, why are we still doing this?” While A-Rod has had several ups and downs with the Yanks because of his PED use, he has also tried to sue the team due to the suspension that was handed to him, which may still be looming large on them. Hence, a number retirement might be a long shot right now, but one never knows.

A supporter of not Yankees but Mets remarked, “I am a Met fan but I do feel his number should be retired.” Everyone would want that, but because of the rocky relationship Rodriguez has had with the team, it would be difficult to get there. It was even rumored at one point that the team had hurried him off the roster when Alex wasn’t performing his best, adding more fuel to the fire.

One fan couldn’t help but remark, “Retire his number.” Whilst earlier this would seem like an impossible aspect, there seems to be some hope left. A-rod was at the Old-Timers event, even though he did mention that he was rather ‘surprised’ to be invited, which says a lot. But it also shows the changing dynamics between him and the Yankees and that too for the better!

Article continues below this ad

Echoing that aura of forgiveness, another user said, “When he retired, I said, they could give him a plaque amongst the dumpsters. Boy, has time mended wounds and absence made the heart grow fonder. Since his retiring, there’s been a maturation that won me over, and he’s super proud of being a Yankee. He won me over.” Well, everyone matures as they age, and granted A-Rod too has made a fair share of mistakes, but he seems to be making amends. There were also instances of A-Rod joking with Jeter, with whom he had sour relations in the past. So now, things seem to be improving.

Alex Rodriguez’s situation is more or less like Barry Bonds at the moment where they may have achieved great heights, but these mishaps seem to have tattered their reputation. Do you think that he will ever get his number retired or make it into the Hall of Fame? Let us know in the comments.