JockBio: Alex Rodriguez Facts

JockBio Vital Stats
• New York Yankees	• Third Baseman	• #13
• Height: 6' 3 "	• Weight: 225	• Born: 7/27/75

Upon signing with Mariners, Alex visited Ken Griffey Jr. in Seattle. The two had dinner, played video games and shared stories about being the top pick in the draft.
When Alex made his debut in 1994, he was the youngest player in the majors since Jose Rijo in 1984. At 18, he became the youngest shortstop since Robin Yount in 1974.
In 1995, Alex became the youngest shortstop ever to play in a post-season game.
Alex’s .358 average in 1996 was the highest for an AL righty since Joe DiMaggio hit .381 in 1939. It also was the highest batting average ever for a player who began a season younger than age 21. The previous mark belonged to Ty Cobb, who hit .350 in 1907.
In 1996, Alex became the first AL shortstop to win a batting title since Lou Boudreau, in 1944. He was the first #9 hitter to do so. Bill Mueller of the Boston Red Sox matched the feat in 2003.
Alex hit his 100th career home run in August of 1998. Only three players in history reached the century mark at a younger age: Mel Ott, Tony Conigliaro, and Eddie Mathews.
In 2000, Alex joined Edgar Martinez as the only other Mariner to hit .300, score 100 runs, drive in 100 and walk 100 times in the same season.
Alex’s 52 home runs in 2001 were the most by an infielder other than a first baseman, breaking Mike Schmidt's record of 48 in 1980. He also shattered the Texas franchise mark (48 HRs by Frank Howard in 1969).
Alex tied Jim Thome for the big-league lead with 47 homers in 2003. In turn, he became the first player to top the majors in HRs in consecutive seasons since Mark McGwire in 1998-99. His streak of 40+ homers in six straight seasons matched Sammy Sosa (1998-2003) for second-longest in baseball history behind Babe Ruth (seven, 1926-32).
In 2005, Alex hit 26 home runs in Yankee Stadium. This broke the record of 25 for righthanders shared by Joe DiMaggio and Gary Sheffield. That year, Alex also became the youngest player to hit 400 home runs.
Alex hit three home runs off of Bartolo Colon in a 2005 game. His 10 RBIs on the day were the second most in AL history behind Tony Lazzeri.
In July of 2006, Alex rapped out his 2,000th hit. It was also his 450th home run.
In 2007, Alex joined Vern Stephens and Cy Williams as the only major leaguers to have three career walk-off grand slams.
Alex hit two homers in 2007 as a DH. His 52 as a third baseman established a new mark for that position.
Alex is the third player to win an MVP award with two American League teams.
Alex is the first player to have 10 straight seasons of 35 homers, 100 runs and 100 RBIs. Jimmie Foxx held the previous record with nine.
In 1998, Alex made People’s 50 Most Beautiful People list.
Alex holds the record for the most home runs hit by a player born in New York.
Alex and Willie Mays share the record for the most steals (24) during a 50-home run season.
Alex was a big baseball card collector as a kid. At one point, he had more than 200,000 cards in his possession.
Alex has a German shepherd named Ripper in honor of Cal Ripken Jr.
The University of Miami renamed its baseball stadium in honor of Alex. He has donated some $3 million to Mark Light Field at Alex Rodriguez Park.
Alex married Cynthia Scurits in November of 2002. They met in 1998 at a gym in Miami. At the time, Cynthia was a high school psychology teacher. Eager to avoid a media crush, the couple made sure their small wedding ceremony was one of Dallas’s best-kept secrets.
In Sports Illustrated’s 2004 swimsuit issue, Cynthia and Alex appeared together in a celebrity layout.
In November of 2004, Alex and Cynthia had their first child, Natasha.
Among Alex’s favorites are: golf and basketball (sports to play and watch), Batman and Robin (cartoon characters), “My Way” by Frank Sinatra (song), Eddie Murphy and Michael Douglas (actor), Leonardo da Vinci (historic figure), The Rolling Stones (band), Of Mice and Men (book), Cocoa Puffs (cereal), Camden Yards (ballpark) and Armani (suit style).
In April of 2005, Alex was credited with saving the life of 8-year-old Patrick McCarthy when he pulled the youngster out of the way of a speeding truck in Boston.
In May of 2005, Alex and Cynthia donated $200,000 to a children's mental health center in Washington Heights.
Alex has an older half-brother, Victor Rodriguez, who is an officer in the US Air Force.

Ty Cobb, Series of Champions

Tony Lazzeri, TCMA card

Cal Ripken, 1996 Fantasy Baseball