A-Rod calms Cooperstown talk: I can be a Hall of Famer in other things
Alex Rodriguez is well aware his first taste of Hall of Fame eligibility will stir up plenty of controversy.
The now-retired slugger has been focused on guiding the New York Yankees' future as a special guest instructor at spring training camp, where his coaching has received rave reviews from the club's prospects so far. But it's his own future, specifically five years from now when his name surfaces on ballots for the first time, that has the former infielder pondering other avenues to have his name immortalized.
"Everyone's dream is to end up in the Hall of Fame," he told Newsday's David Lennon. "Obviously I have a unique situation and I don't have a vote, unfortunately. But I think that with everything I've been through, I have an opportunity to be a Hall of Famer in other things - to be a Hall of Fame father, and give back to the sport, the baseball community, and do things the right way."
Rodriguez stands a likely chance of being one of the most disputed Hall of Fame candidates of all time.
Despite a stellar on-field resume featuring three MVP awards, 14 All-Star appearances, 10 Silver Sluggers, two Gold Gloves, a career .295/.380/.550 slash line, and 696 home runs, the former Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers, and Yankees infielder has also been embroiled in controversy due to his admitted use of performance enhancing drugs and a season-long suspension in 2014 for his connection to the Biogenesis scandal.
The prominent baseball icon also took part in a nasty feud with his own club's management when he ripped the Yankees for not medically clearing him after undergoing hip surgery, despite his own doctor having done so.
With all the drama surrounding his career, Rodriguez isn't interested in trying to make a Hall of Fame case for himself just yet.
"Look, all I can say, it's every kid's dream to end up in the Hall of Fame," he told Lennon. "After that, I haven't given it too much thought.
"I tell you what, I love the game, I love what I'm doing. And the time I'm spending with the (Yankees’) kids, to me, is pretty awesome."