A-Rodmania: What to expect from his final week

Even when A-Rod tries to do something subtle it's extravagant.

Instead of yet another long farewell tour, baseball fans will have a consolidated celebration this week for Alex Rodriguez, who announced he'll play the final game of his 22-year career Friday against the Rays at Yankee Stadium. Though it most certainly isn't how A-Rod envisioned it ending - he had to ask Hal Steinbrenner if he could play one last game in front of his family before the Yankees release him - at least he'll still get the attention his prolific career deserves. For the next five days, the baseball world belongs to A-Rod.

4 more games

After 2,781 games, A-Rod's career is set to end with three games beginning Tuesday against the longtime rival Red Sox at Fenway before one final farewell at home versus the Rays. There's no telling yet how much he'll play this week - he's made just 43 plate appearances since the beginning of July - but Joe Girardi indicated he'd play him in every single game if Rodriguez wanted to.

Oddly enough, A-Rod's faced over 1,450 pitchers during his career, according to Baseball-Reference, yet the three-time MVP has had virtually no success versus any of the four starters (three right-handers, including a knuckleballer, and a lefty) the Yankees are scheduled against this week. It's almost certain he won't reach 700 home runs before the week's over, but there's at least a chance he won't finish with 696.

Of course, even if A-Rod isn't too familiar with the pitchers, he's shown to be more than comfortable against the two AL East foes. Here are his career splits versus each club, as well as his numbers at Fenway Park and Yankee Stadium.

Only two goodbyes

Fittingly, A-Rod's final road trip will be in his most infamous visiting park, the scene of so much drama, controversy, and triumph over the years. This week's showdown at Fenway has no shortage of storylines, from his final matchup against retiring Red Sox legend David Ortiz to one last series against the team who nearly acquired him moments before he became a Yankee. It will be especially interesting to see how the Red Sox honor Rodriguez, the polarizing figure who once fought at home plate with Jason Varitek, crushed a dramatic homer off Ryan Dempster after being plunked, and slapped the ball out of Brondon Arroyo's glove (at Yankee Stadium).

As for the Yankees, who begrudgingly acknowledged A-Rod's milestones last season after finally settling the bonus dispute, one should expect a classy send-off for one of the most accomplished players in franchise history. If there were any doubt, Brian Cashman flashed his 2009 championship ring Sunday when asked about A-Rod's legacy with the Yankees, a team with whom Rodriguez won two MVPs with and has played more than half his career for. Expect more tears than jeers in the Bronx on Friday.

Unfinished business

Other than the possibility that Friday will be the final time we watch A-Rod play in a major-league game, don't expect to feel the sort of finality you have with other retiring legends. For one, A-Rod hasn't used the "R" word yet and, after all, this is Alex Rodriguez we're talking about, the same guy who opted out of his contract with the Yankees during a World Series game, tried to sue Major League Baseball, and whose career at times has bordered on the WWE-absurd.

The final weeks and months of the season will undoubtedly include speculation over his next destination, and possibly more tributes and celebrations from Seattle, Texas, and maybe even hometown Miami. Buckle up, should be A-Wild ride.

Full coverage of A-Rod's final week:

• Off-field controversies (Monday)

• Memorable Red Sox moments (Tuesday)

• Biggest player feuds (Wednesday)

• Career by the numbers (Thursday)

• 5 legends who didn't get the exit they wanted (Friday)

• Defining Mariners, Rangers, Yankees moments (Wednesday-Friday)