After he was the next big thing with the Seattle Mariners, but before he became a tabloid centerpiece and two-time MVP with the New York Yankees, Alex Rodriguez spent three seasons in the Lone Star State as a member of the Texas Rangers.
Although A-Rod put up some of the most astonishing numbers of his career with the Rangers, he wasn't able to do it all by himself as the club managed to only amass a combined 216-270 record while employing his services.
While his stay may not have panned out the way he may have hoped, there were some major highlights.
Here are five defining moments of A-Rod's career in Texas.
Largest contract in professional sports history
On Dec. 11, 2000, A-Rod was gifted an early Christmas present when he agreed to a 10-year, $252-million deal, the richest contract in professional sports history. The signing was thought to be a franchise-changer by Texas' front office, who supposedly outbid every competitor by a landslide. "Alex is the player we believe will allow this franchise to fulfill its dream of continuing on its path to becoming a World Series champion," Rangers owner Tom Hicks said of acquiring the then-25-year-old shortstop. Rodriguez, however, wasn't the franchise's savior everyone anticipated - despite incredible numbers - as Texas finished last in three consecutive seasons with him on the team.
The first of three MVPs
A-Rod's first of three American League MVP awards came while in Texas. In 2003, he led the league in home runs (47), runs scored (124), and slugging percentage (.600). Although the season was incredible, it actually seemed less impressive than his two years prior when he hit for a higher average, with more power, and scored more runs. His winning the award did refute the old adage that you need to be on a winning club to be MVP, though, as the Rangers finished with just 71 wins by season's end.
Youngest ever to hit 300 HRs
Over the course of 22 seasons in the big leagues, only Barry Bonds, Hank Aaron, and Babe Ruth have hit more home runs than A-Rod, but none of them were able to reach 300 as quickly. On April 2, 2003, Rodriguez sent a Ramon Ortiz pitch sailing into the right-center field stands for the 300th ding-dong of his storied career, making him the youngest player of all time to do so.
(Courtesy: MLB.com)
Angels fans made it easy for Rodriguez to recover the momentous item, too, throwing it back onto the field while the slugger rounded the bases.
The failed Red Sox trade
Rodriguez, a noted baseball villain in Boston, almost became a Red Sox member at the end of 2003. A deal that would have brought A-Rod, outfielder Magglio Ordonez, and pitcher Brandon McCarthy to Fenway Park in a three-team trade with the Rangers and White Sox which also involved Manny Ramirez and Nomar Garciaparra, was signed, sealed, and ready to be delivered. It ended up getting axed by the MLBPA, though, because the union would not approve the restructuring of the superstar's contract, which still remained at seven years with $179 million owing. The deal was so close, A-Rod had even signed his approval. "Somewhere in my files is a signed Red Sox contract by A-Rod," then-Red Sox assistant general manager Jed Hoyer told ESPN during "30 for 30 Shorts." The deal officially died, which led to quite possibly the biggest moment of A-Rod's time in Texas.
New York, New York
On Feb. 16, 2004, Rodriguez waived his no-trade clause and was acquired by the New York Yankees in exchange for Alfonso Soriano and Joaquin Arias. Texas also agreed to pay $67 million of the $179 million remaining on his contract. After commissioner Bud Selig approved the trade the following day, the A-Rod era in the Big Apple began. The slugger would spend the next 12 seasons of his career with the club en route to numerous accolades, including two MVP awards and a World Series title to go along with one of the most controversial careers in baseball history.
