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Alex Rodriguez creeps closer to Willie Mays with two more home runs

By Gary Gurecki

Apr 17, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; New York Yankees designated hitter Alex Rodriguez (13) hits a 2-run home run during the sixth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 17, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; New York Yankees designated hitter Alex Rodriguez (13) hits a 2-run home run during the sixth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Alex Rodriguez had two home runs in a game against the Tampa Bay Rays this evening getting closer him closer to forth all-time.

Love him or hate him Alex Rodriguez took two more giant steps towards climbing his way up the all-time home run list this evening. 

Rodriguez belted a solo home run in the first inning of tonight’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays off starter Nathan Karns.  Later in the game Rodriguez followed up with a second home run in the top of the sixth inning off relief pitcher Ernesto Fieri.  This is Alex’s first multi home run game since 2012.   

After these two home runs Rodriguez is now only three more to pass the great Willie Mays as forth all time in home runs behind Bonds, Aaron, and Ruth. 

It has been a quick start to the season for Rodriguez who brought with him lowered expectations going into the season based on his age, injury history, and complete lack of playing time in 2014.  However Alex now has four home runs on the season which leads the New York Yankees, one greater than first baseman Mark Teixeira.

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The Yankees as an organization seemingly did not vigorously anticipate Rodriguez return following his suspension last season, namely in the form of negative comments coming from general manager and senior vice president Brian Cashman.  The Yankees also re-signed third baseman Chase Headley going into this season as a measure to sure up their third base position and to relegate what they thought was left of a player at an advanced age to a designated hitter position. 

Headley’s defense this season and last season has been solid during his time in pinstripes but it has been A-rod’s bat so far that has been an unexpected benefit to the Yankees this far into a young season. 

Part of the Yankees publicly strained relationship with Rodriguez ties largely to his lofty contract, and part of that contract has ties to his home run production.  When Alex signed his first deal with the Yankees in 2007 following the end of his contract that was inherited from Rangers following the 2003 season, the Yankees and Alex negotiated bonuses based on him making certain home run milestones.  Included in these milestones was a $6 million dollar bonus each for passing Mays, Ruth, and Aaron. 

When A-Rod joined the Yankees he was sitting on 345 home runs for his career and going into 2008 he had compiled 518 home runs. 

It is expected that when Rodriguez pasts his first milestone this season that the Yankees will refute the money that A-rod is contractually owed.  Most likely the Yankees will use the argument that the contract was negotiated under false pretenses, in order to keep from paying Alex his $6 million contract bonus.  The Major League Baseball Players Union will likely be Rodriguez representation during this dispute. 

Without jumping ahead too far into this season Alex seems to be on pace to pass Mays at an accelerated pace then originally expected from MLB employees and reporters. His contract dispute aside, this is historical and should be recognized as such.

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