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Making the unpopular case for electing Alex Rodriguez to the Baseball Hall of Fame
Alex Rodriguez is one of the most recognizable people in the world. His baseball career was remarkable, but does he deserve to be elected to the Hall of Fame?
It's that time of the year again, folks. Put free agency aside for a little bit, because the 2024 BBWAA (Baseball Writers Association of America) ballot for the National Baseball Hall of Fame came out on November 20th. This part of the offseason can sometimes be compared to the Real Housewives of Wherever, because of the constant drama that comes with arguing about who should and shouldn't be voted into Cooperstown.
Gone are the days when we argued about Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, and Mark McGuire (Yes, they belong in the HoF). Yes, players like Bonds, Clemens, McGuire, and even Pete Rose can still be selected into the Hall of Fame by way of the "Contemporary Era Ballot". Players who come with baggage, such as Curt Schilling, Manny Ramirez and Alex Rodriguez, who I am going to make the case for, may have to wait until they are eligible to be voted in by the Veterans' Committee, instead of the normal BBWAA ballot.
Former Mariner great Alex Rodriguez is on the BBWAA ballot for just the second time. In order to be elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame, you need 75% of the votes. A-Rod got just 35.7% in his first time on the ballot. But why is that? Why does a player who has 3115 hits, 696 home runs, 3 MVP awards, and 14 All-Star appearances get just 35.7% of the votes? You probably know the answer, unless you have lived under a rock for the past 20 years.
Alex Rodriguez: The player
Alex Rodriguez was drafted #1 overall to the Seattle Mariners back in 1993, from Westminster Christian School in Miami. He made his Major League debut in 1994, at the age of 18(!!!). He finished 2nd in MVP voting in 1996, when he led the league in runs (141), doubles (54), batting average (.358) and total bases (379). He played for the Mariners from 1993-2000, before he signed a record-breaking contract with the Texas Rangers (10YR/$252M).
A-Rod played in just 3 seasons for the Texas Rangers, before he wore out his welcome. He was then famously traded to the New York Yankees, where he changed positions from shortstop to third base. He also signed an extension with the Yankees in 2007, for another 10YR/$275M. At the time, those were the two biggest contracts in baseball history.
Statistically speaking, Alex Rodriguez is one of the best players in baseball history. There is no doubt about that. ARod his 696 home runs, the fifth most of ALL TIME. His 2086 RBI's rank 4th all time, and his 3115 hits rank him 22nd all time. He won 3 MVP awards, 2 Gold Gloves, 10 Silver Slugger Awards, won the batting title in 1996 and won the World Series in 2009 (The last Yankees World Series win).
Alex Rodriguez: The controversy
Seattle sports fans do not forgive easily. Just ask the Houston Astros, former Sonics owner Howard Schultz, or A-Rod. When Rodrigue left the Mariners and signed with the Rangers, fans were extremely upset. He stated that he wanted to compete for championships, and the mariners were moving towards a full rebuild. He was not completely wrong, as in 2 offseasons, the Mariners lost both Ken Griffey Jr. and Alex Rodriguez. Randy Johnson was traded in 1998, and the team was sinking fast. Or, so he thought. The Mariners went on to play in the ALCS in 2000, and win 116 games in 2001.
Then, in 2009, Sports Illustrated reported that A-Rod tested positive for testosterone and another anabolic steroid back in 2003. Back then, there was no rule against using steroids. 2 days after the allegations, A-Rod admitted to the drug use, saying he used them from 2001-2003, only during Spring Training. Alex was suspended for the entire 2014 season, for both PED use and trying to cover it up. Alex did come back in 2015 and hit 33 home runs, and made his final All-Star team. He even got an MVP vote. There is much, much more that I could talk about, but this is the basics. A-Rod admitted to steroid use.
So, why would I vote for Alex Rodriguez?
The Baseball Hall of Fame is a museum. It was made to enshrine the greatest players and moment in baseball history. Alex is just that, one of the greatest players in baseball history. Is he a cheater? Yes. is he a liar? Yes. Does he deserve all the hate he gets from former teammates of his, other players and fans? Also, Yes.
We are talking about the Baseball Hall of Fame, not the Good Guy Hall of Fame. If it was, guys like Ty Cobb wouldn't be there. That's why the building in Cooperstown is a museum, not a temple. Should his admitted steroid use be on his plaque? Absolutely. If you want to put an asterisk next to his name, by all means, go for it. But the fact of the matter is: Alex Rodriguez is a Hall of Fame baseball player.
As always, Go Mariners!