Alex Rodriguez's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Alex Rodriguez.

Alex Rodriguez, nicknamed "A-Rod," is a former MLB shortstop and third baseman. He played for the Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers, and New York Yankees over 22 seasons. Once a highly touted prospect, he's considered one of baseball's greatest players. Currently, Rodriguez is the chairman and CEO of A-Rod Corp, chairman of Presidente beer, and owns a controlling interest in the Minnesota Timberwolves. His career combines success on the field with entrepreneurial ventures.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1900: Youngest Starting Shortstop

On July 8, 1994, Alex Rodriguez debuted in the major leagues as a starting shortstop, just the third 18-year-old major league shortstop since 1900.

1901: Modern Era of Baseball

Alex Rodriguez is ranked first in career wins above replacement for shortstops of the modern era (post–1901).

1907: Third Youngest Batting Leader

In 1996, At 21 years and one month, Alex Rodriguez was the 3rd youngest AL batting leader ever behind Al Kaline (20) in 1955 and Ty Cobb (20) in 1907.

1939: Highest Batting Average

In 1996, Alex Rodriguez led the American League (AL) with a .358 batting average, the highest for an AL right-handed batter since Joe DiMaggio hit .381 in 1939.

1944: First Shortstop Batting Title

In 1996, Alex Rodriguez was also the first major league shortstop to win a batting title since 1960, and the first in the AL since 1944.

1955: Third Youngest Batting Leader

In 1996, At 21 years and one month, Alex Rodriguez was the 3rd youngest AL batting leader ever behind Al Kaline (20) in 1955 and Ty Cobb (20) in 1907.

1960: First Shortstop Batting Title

In 1996, Alex Rodriguez was also the first major league shortstop to win a batting title since 1960.

1978: Youngest Major League Player

On July 8, 1994, Alex Rodriguez debuted in the major leagues as a starting shortstop, just the third 18-year-old major league shortstop since 1900 and the first 18-year-old major league player since 1978.

1996: Mariners Starting Shortstop

In 1996, Alex Rodriguez became the Mariners' starting shortstop and won the major league batting title.

1998: 40-40 Club

In 1998, Alex Rodriguez set the AL record for homers by a shortstop and became just the third member of the 40–40 club.

1999: 100 Home Runs and 100 Stolen Bases

In 1999, Alex Rodriguez was the youngest player to record 100 home runs and 100 stolen bases, at 23 years and 309 days of age.

2001: Rodriguez leads the league

In 2001, Alex Rodriguez led the American League with 52 home runs, 133 runs scored, and 393 total bases. He set Rangers club records for homers, runs, total bases, and hit by pitches, establishing himself as a dominant offensive force and the only major league player to start all of his team's games.

2002: Rodriguez finishes top-10 in the AL MVP voting

Between 1996 and 2002, Alex Rodriguez had five top-10 finishes in the AL MVP voting.

2002: Rodriguez leads the major league

In 2002, Alex Rodriguez led the major leagues with 57 home runs, 142 RBIs, and 389 total bases. He also won his first Gold Glove Award, recognizing his outstanding defensive performance.

2003: Rodriguez leads the American League

In 2003, Alex Rodriguez led the American League in home runs, runs scored, and slugging percentage. He also won his second consecutive Gold Glove Award and became the youngest player to hit 300 homers.

2003: First AL MVP Award

In 2003, Alex Rodriguez won his first AL MVP Award while playing for the Texas Rangers.

2004: "Honorary Alumnus" of the University of Miami

In 2004, Alex Rodriguez was named an "honorary alumnus" of the University of Miami.

2005: Rodriguez leads the American League

In 2005, Alex Rodriguez led the American League with 124 runs and 48 home runs. He also established a franchise record for most home runs in a single season by a right-handed batter.

2005: Named AL MVP

In 2005, Alex Rodriguez was named AL MVP as a member of the New York Yankees.

2005: Rodriguez won second AL MVP Award

In 2005, Rodriguez won his second AL MVP Award in three seasons, becoming the fifth player to win this award with two different teams. He was also named the shortstop on the Major League Baseball Latino Legends Team.

July 21, 2006: Rodriguez gets 2,000th hit

On July 21, 2006, Alex Rodriguez recorded his 2,000th hit, which was also his 450th home run. He became the youngest player in baseball history to reach 450 home runs.

2007: Rodriguez one of four AL batters to have at least 18 home runs and 18 stolen bases

In 2007 Alex Rodriguez was one of only four batters in the AL to have at least 18 home runs and 18 stolen bases.

2007: Rodriguez's Record-Breaking Season

In 2007, Alex Rodriguez became the first major league player to achieve at least 35 home runs, 100 runs, and 100 RBIs in 10 consecutive seasons, surpassing Jimmie Foxx. He led the AL in multiple categories, including home runs (54) and RBIs (156), and won his third Babe Ruth Home Run Award in 2007.

2007: Opted Out of Contract

In 2007, Alex Rodriguez opted out of his contract with the Yankees and then signed a new 10-year deal and became the youngest player to hit 500 home runs.

2007: Alumnus of Distinction Award

In 2007, Alex Rodriguez received the University of Miami's Edward T. Foote II Alumnus of Distinction Award as an honorary alumnus.

September 3, 2008: Rodriguez's home run upheld by instant replay

On September 3, 2008, Alex Rodriguez hit his 549th home run against the Tampa Bay Rays. The play was reviewed using instant replay for the first time in MLB history to confirm the umpire's ruling that the ball was fair.

2008: Power-Speed Number

In 1998, Alex Rodriguez's 43.9 Power-speed number was, through at least 2008, the highest single season Power/Speed Number ever.

October 4, 2009: Rodriguez sets American League RBI record

On October 4, 2009, Alex Rodriguez set an American League record for most RBIs by a batter in a single inning with seven, achieving his 12th consecutive season with at least 30 home runs and 100 RBIs.

2009: Performed exceptionally well in the postseason

Alex Rodriguez significantly improved his postseason performance in 2009, achieving a .365 batting average and hitting six home runs in 52 at-bats during the Yankees' 15 post-season games.

2009: Received positive comparisons to Reggie Jackson

Following his performance in the 2009 postseason, Alex Rodriguez started receiving many positive comparisons to Reggie Jackson, even being selected as "Mr. October" by Jackson and USA Today.

2009: Rodriguez wins World Series and Babe Ruth Award

In 2009, Alex Rodriguez and the Yankees won the World Series against the Phillies. Rodriguez was named the Babe Ruth Award winner as the postseason MVP, batting .365 with six home runs and 18 RBIs. In Game 3, his double was reviewed and ruled a home run. In Game 4, Rodriguez drove in the go-ahead run.

2009: World Series Win

In 2009, Alex Rodriguez helped the New York Yankees win the World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies.

August 4, 2010: Rodriguez hits his 600th home run

On August 4, 2010, Alex Rodriguez hit his 600th home run, becoming the seventh player in major league history to reach this milestone and the youngest to do so at 35 years and 8 days old.

June 12, 2012: Rodriguez ties Lou Gehrig's grand slam record

On June 12, 2012, Alex Rodriguez hit his 23rd career grand slam, tying Lou Gehrig for the most in MLB history.

July 24, 2012: Rodriguez hit by pitch, records 2,000th strikeout

On July 24, 2012, Alex Rodriguez was hit by a pitch, fracturing his hand, and placed on the disabled list. Earlier in the game, he recorded his 2,000th career strikeout.

April 2015: Mike Trout Milestone

In April 2015, Mike Trout reached the same milestone of 100 home runs and 100 stolen bases at 23 years and 253 days old.

2015: Finished the season with 33 home runs

In 2015, Alex Rodriguez finished the season with 33 home runs, 86 RBI, and a .252 batting average. He led the Yankees in home runs and reached 30+ home runs for the 15th time in his career.

April 17, 2016: Made 12,000 career plate appearances

On April 17, 2016, Alex Rodriguez became the 19th player to make 12,000 career plate appearances.

2016: Won Sports Emmy Award with Fox Sports

In 2016, Alex Rodriguez, as an MLB studio analyst for Fox Sports, won a Sports Emmy Award for Outstanding Studio Show during the network's coverage of the postseason.

2017: Won back-to-back Sports Emmy Award with Fox Sports

In 2017, Alex Rodriguez, as an MLB studio analyst for Fox Sports, won back-to-back Sports Emmy Award for Outstanding Studio Show during the network's coverage of the postseason.

2019: Nominated for an Emmy

In 2019, Alex Rodriguez was nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Sports Personality, Studio and Sports Event Analyst.

November 22, 2021: Nomination for National Baseball Hall of Fame

On November 22, 2021, Alex Rodriguez was included on the ballot for the National Baseball Hall of Fame class of 2022.

2022: Hall of Fame Eligibility

In 2022, Alex Rodriguez was up for election to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, receiving a maximum of 35.7% of votes in his first three years of eligibility, short of the 75% threshold required for election.