Alex Rodriguez - Baseballs Biggest Hitter
In December 2007 Alex Rodriguez signed the most lucrative contract in baseball history when he put pen to paper on a 10-year contract worth $275 million with the New York Yankees. Previously representing the Seattle Mariners and the Texas Rangers, the Yankees 'one of the most successful professional franchises in sports history' were proud to welcome the third baseman into the family. ‘A-Rod’ is the youngest ever player to tally over 500 home runs, breaking Jimmie Foxx’s previous record which was set in 1939. He then overtook the legendary Babe Ruth’s record, becoming the youngest ever player in Major League history to score 600 in his career.
Moreover, the New York-born star became the all-time leading home run scorer of Hispanic decent when he beat Sammy Sosa’s haul of 609 home runs. Unquestionably talented, baseball fans from across the globe took to the record breaker. However, opinions changed in February 2009 when the then 33-year-old admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs. The superstar confessed to have taken steroids between 2001-2003, citing the enormous pressure on him to perform as the reason. In August 2013 the Biogenesis Scandal Investigation broke and thirteen MLB players were accused of obtaining human growth hormone. A-Rod was convicted again and, had a subsequent appeal not been successful, his original ban of 211 games would have been the longest suspension in history.
However, Rodriguez had his sentence reduced by 51 games, meaning that he’ll still miss the entire 2014 season, including the play-offs if Joe Girardi’s side were to qualify. Despite Alex Rodriguez’s use of illicit substances, for the benefit of the game, fans will hope that the exciting in-fielder can put his troubles behind him. He’s only 36 home runs from reaching the 700 home run mark, something he is more than capable of achieving.
He will no doubt want to improve on his current position of fifth on the all-time MLB home run hitters list – with his sights firmly fixed on Barry Bond’s top spot of 762 home runs. Check out Sporting Index’s baseball betting markets. Interested in learning about how basketball spread betting works? Visit our training centre to learn about spread betting.
Moreover, the New York-born star became the all-time leading home run scorer of Hispanic decent when he beat Sammy Sosa’s haul of 609 home runs. Unquestionably talented, baseball fans from across the globe took to the record breaker. However, opinions changed in February 2009 when the then 33-year-old admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs. The superstar confessed to have taken steroids between 2001-2003, citing the enormous pressure on him to perform as the reason. In August 2013 the Biogenesis Scandal Investigation broke and thirteen MLB players were accused of obtaining human growth hormone. A-Rod was convicted again and, had a subsequent appeal not been successful, his original ban of 211 games would have been the longest suspension in history.
However, Rodriguez had his sentence reduced by 51 games, meaning that he’ll still miss the entire 2014 season, including the play-offs if Joe Girardi’s side were to qualify. Despite Alex Rodriguez’s use of illicit substances, for the benefit of the game, fans will hope that the exciting in-fielder can put his troubles behind him. He’s only 36 home runs from reaching the 700 home run mark, something he is more than capable of achieving.
He will no doubt want to improve on his current position of fifth on the all-time MLB home run hitters list – with his sights firmly fixed on Barry Bond’s top spot of 762 home runs. Check out Sporting Index’s baseball betting markets. Interested in learning about how basketball spread betting works? Visit our training centre to learn about spread betting.