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 Alex Rodriguez |
 Me @ UKfan307@msn.com |
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The Rocky Years The story-book life started with a few rocky chapters for Alex Rodriguez. The darkest chapter came when he was 9, though. When Alex was in the fifth grade, his dad left the family. Alex didn’t understand why, still doesn’t. The prelude came a few years before. Alex, the youngest of three children, was born in New York. His father, Victor Rodriguez, ran a successful shoe store in Manhattan. Business was so good, Victor and family moved to their native Dominican Republic to retire. The retired life lasted until Victor needed to work again. This time, the Rodriguez’s moved to Miami and Victor opened another store. Then came the day that will forever mark time for Alex. Victor apparently grew tired of Miami and split for New York. He never came back. While Alex immersed himself in sports, his mother Lourdes worked as a secretary in a Miami immigration office by day and as a waitress at a local restaurant by night. Lourdes impressed upon the three kids her work ethic. It’s paid off. Daughter Susy is a mortage loan officer and son Joe is a successful businessman. Alex, meanwhile, learned his craft on the diamonds of Miami, specifically at the Hank Kline Boys & Girls Club. Alex’s impact is still being felt at the club. Behind the club now sits the Alex Rodriguez 40/40 Field, which he built. By high school, Alex was attracting baseball scouts from across the country. By his senior year at Westminster Christian, he was the nation’s most coveted baseball player. At least, the rocky beginning had a happy ending. Everybody's Favorite The Seattle Mariners had an easy choice in 1993. They held the first pick in the June draft. And this time they didn’t botch it. How could they? (Don’t answer that.) Everyone in baseball was keenly aware of Alex Rodriguez after his senior year at Westminster Christian High in Miami. He was a first team prep All-America selection, after batting .505 with nine home runs and 36 RBI in 33 games. He also stole 35 bases in 35 attempts. And he was the only high school finalist for the Golden Spikes Award, given annually to the top amateur player in the country. He didn’t win the Golden Spikes Award, but he was named USA Baseball Junior Player of the Year and Gatorade’s National Student Athlete of the Year in baseball. Alex had already made his mark on the baseball landscape. In his three-year career at Westminster, Alex hit .419 with 17 home runs, 70 RBI and 90 stolen bases in 100 games while leading his team to a 86-13-1 record. His 1992 club was named national champions by the National High School Baseball Coaches Association and Baseball America. At age 17, Alex became the Mariners’ first-round draft choice. His minor league days were already numbered. By 18, Alex made his major league debut. He started at shortstop in his first major league game on July 8 at Boston. He was the first 18-year-old to play in the majors since Jose Rijo broke in with New York (AL) in 1984 and just the third 18-year-old shortstop in the majors since 1900 (Kansas City's Tony La Russa in 1963 and Milwaukee's Robin Yount in 1974). For the next two years, though, Alex bounced between the bigs and the minors. It got so frustrating, he even considered quiting at one point. His mom, Lourdes, wouldn’t let him. It’s a good thing, too. For what came next made baseball history. Holds A.L. single-season record for most home runs by shortstop with 42 (1998, 1999) Named Major League Player of the Year by The Sporting News in 1996 in a landslide vote (260 votes, 67 percent) Had 20-game hitting streak (Aug. 16-Sept. 4, 1996) Led A.L. with 379 total bases in 1996 Hit for the cycle (June 5, 1997) Led A.L. shortstops with 731 total chances in 1998 Joined exclusive 40-40 club in 1998 with 42 homers and 46 stolen bases Is 3-for-7 (.429) in three All-Star Games Finished finishing second in the MVP voting in 1996, losing out to Texas' Juan Gonzalez by 3 points, the closest MVP vote since 1960 Among the league-leaders in 11categories in 1996, leading the league in five; both were the most by any player In 1996, runs, hits, doubles, extra base hits and slugging percentage were the highest ever recorded by a shortstop, and his total bases tied the most ever His 1996 average was third-highest ever recorded by a shortstop, while his RBI total was ninth. Won first Silver Slugger in 1997 Batting average was the highest by a right-handed hitter in 57 years, since Joe DiMaggio hit .381 in 1939 Became the third youngest A.L. batting champion ever behind Al Kaline (20) in 1955 and Ty Cobb (20) in 1907. Became the first A.L. shortstop to win a batting title since Cleveland's Lou Boudreau in 1944 (.327) Last N.L. shortstop batting champ was Pittsburgh's Dick Groat in 1960 (.325) Became the first A.L. shortstop other than Cal Ripken to start an All-Star Game since 1983 (Milwaukee's Robin Yount) when he was voted to the starting lineup |
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