Alex Rodriguez Announces End Of Playing Career
BOSTON (CBS) – Red Sox fans will get one final chance to say goodbye to a familiar foe this week at Fenway Park as Alex Rodriguez announced that he will retire as a player on Friday.
The New York Yankees third baseman and designated hitter, who has struggled this season and is signed through 2017, will play against the Red Sox Tuesday through Thursday in Boston.
He will then be released by the team on Friday following New York's game versus Tampa Bay.
After being released, Rodriguez will be signed as a special advisor for the Yankees through December 31, 2017.
"This is a tough day," said Rodriguez during a press conference Sunday. "I love this game and I love this team. Today I'm saying goodbye to both."
Rodriguez nearly became a member of the Red Sox in 2003. Boston agreed to send star outfielder Manny Ramirez to the Texas Rangers for Rodriguez.
Instead, the MLBPA blocked the deal because Rodriguez would have taken a pay cut.
Rodriguez was then traded to the Yankees before the 2004 season, and went on to become a villain in Boston during the height of the Red Sox-Yankees rivalry.
Boston went on to win three World Series titles without him in the next decade. Rodriguez won one of his own in 2009.
Yankees manager Joe Girardi was asked Sunday how he believes Rodriguez will be received during his final games at Fenway Park.
"I'm not sure what he'll get. I think he's meant a lot to this game. He's provided excitement around the country for years," Girardi said.
"I hope he is received well because I think he has earned it."