The New York Yankees will be releasing Alex Rodriguez next week. When will his final game as a professional baseball player be?
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Sunday morning was a big one in the Bronx, as the New York Yankees and Alex Rodriguez held a press conference announcing that the team will be releasing Alex Rodriguez after Friday’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays. The game will mark the final time that we see Alex Rodriguez on a baseball field, as he will be signing a contract to become a special instructor for the team after his release.
After a terrible 2016 season, Rodriguez was approached by Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner and the two sides came to an agreement on his release and then his new role with the team. Rodriguez will have the opportunity to go out with a bang, as he will be playing his final game for the Yankees at home against the Rays.
Alex Rodriguez will play his final game on Friday, Aug. 12 and then become a special advisor for the Yankees.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) August 7, 2016
According to MLB.com, the Rays will be sending Chris Archer to the mound that night. Archer is having a very poor season like the rest of his team, and with Rodriguez sitting at 696 home runs, fans will be hoping for a magical evening in the Bronx.
This year, we have seen some of the best athletes in sports retire with a bang. Kobe Bryant was able to score 60 points in his final game, and in football, Peyton Manning went off into the sunset with a Super Bowl win.
While Friday night won’t have any meaning for the Yankees in the standings, Rodriguez might have a chance to have an illustrious four home run game and reach the milestone of 700. Even though he has struggled this season, there is always some magic laying around in the Bronx, and Friday, August 12th will be a memorable moment in baseball history whether or not you like Rodriguez.