A-Rod Recalls Fond Memories Of Texas
By Shan Shariff | @1053SS
ARLINGTON (105.3 THE FAN) -- It's been more than 10 years since Alex Rodriguez last wore a Texas Rangers uniform. But the transcendent athlete, who turned 40 on Monday, was back in Arlington on Monday night in the midst of a successful comeback campaign with the New York Yankees.
After the 2000 season, A-Rod famously signed the then most lucrative contract in sports history -- a 10-year deal worth $252 million.
Rodriguez enjoyed three successful seasons in Texas, culminating in winning the 2003 AL MVP, before being traded to the Yankees.
"I really, really enjoyed Texas," Rodriguez said prior to Monday night's game. "The fans were incredible to me. I will always be grateful to Tom Hicks and the Rangers for giving me an opportunity at 25 years old to be the leader of a franchise. I have very fond memories here."
While many have deemed the DFW area as a region that's unable to attract a true star (particularly in the wake of DeAndre Jordan's DFW snub), A-Rod's view of North Texas is quite different.
"I love the city. Tons to do," said A-Rod to 105.3 The Fan's Shan Shariff. "I think it's one of the most underrated cities in the country. I got married here. My family loved it here. Great city. Great town."
A-Rod's resurgence this season has been rather unexpected, as even he admits that being in the lineup everyday has come as a surprise.
But with his production has come the realization that baseball -- particularly hitting home runs -- isn't everything in life. That's something that took years to learn. And something he'd communicate to his former self if given the opportunity.
"I think there was a point in time for me that hitting home runs and being a great baseball player was all that mattered," said Rodriguez. "And I figured that if I hit more home runs, it would just justify whatever behavior I had off the field. I realize today that it's not that way at all. Hitting home runs doesn't make you a good father. It doesn't make you a good friend. And it certainly doesn't make a good teammate. To me, they're most important."
(Photo by Tom Hauck/ALLSPORT)
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