Fansided

A-Rod at 40: The best and worst from the controversial Yankee slugger

By Kyle Franzoni

Jul 25, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; New York Yankees designated hitter Alex Rodriguez (13) hits his third home run to tie the game against the Minnesota Twins in the 9th inning at Target Field. Yankees win 8-5. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 25, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; New York Yankees designated hitter Alex Rodriguez (13) hits his third home run to tie the game against the Minnesota Twins in the 9th inning at Target Field. Yankees win 8-5. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 17, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; New York Yankees batter Alex Rodriguez (13) at bat against the Kansas City Royals during the sixth inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
May 17, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; New York Yankees batter Alex Rodriguez (13) at bat against the Kansas City Royals during the sixth inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports /

Best- 2015 Is A Year To Move Forward

With the suspension now behind him and two hip surgeries later, many did not know what to expect from Alex Rodriguez heading into the 2015 season. Would the one-year layoff bear well on a 39-year-old? Would A-Rod continue the slide he had been on before the hip surgeries?

Well, Rodriguez has answered those question well so far in 2015. While serving primarily as the team’s designated hitter, Alex Rodriguez has seem reinvigorated at the plate for the Yankees and has acclimated himself well to a clubhouse that he alienated not a season earlier.

In 90 games this season, A-Rod is slashing a respectable .277/.375/.539 with 23 home runs and 58 RBI. His 2.6 WAR is second only to Nelson Cruz this season and he’s thus far been worth $20.6 million according to FanGraphs.

To add to the storybook season for A-Rod, he’s passed Willie Mays on the All-Time Home Run list and now sits alone in fourth place with 677. He also tallied his 3000th career hit (24th all-time as of this writing), which ironically was a home run. And just for show, Rodriguez also passed 2000 RBI, making him just the fourth player to do so and he currently sits just 49 behind Cap Anson for third all time.

The resurgence was enough that fans and media alike were advocating for Rodriguez to make the 2015 All-Star Game as a reserve. Ultimately, he was left off the roster, but it was an obvious change in sentiment toward a player that had arguably pushed nearly everyone away. With one year left on his contract, it was a change that Rodriguez needed to make and one he hopes will change how the game and the fans see him past his playing days.

But will it be enough?

Next: MLB All-Time 25-man Roster

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