Rodriguez also joined Hank Aaron as the only players to drive in 2,000 runs and bang 600 home runs.
Alex is now one of five men to collect 3,000 hits and hit 500 home runs. The other four are Aaron, Willie Mays, Eddie Murray and Rafael Palmeiro.
I recently read an article by colunist Steve Serby entitled "The Outcast Is Now Family".
In the article, Serby explains how the New York Yankees and their fans have embraced the man who was banished from baseball last season because of a report that he had purchased huge amounts of banned substances from Miami based Biogenisis.
"A Rod is contrite and sorry for what he has done", the article said. The three time Most Valuable Player has admitted using performance enhancing drugs after signing a $250 Million contract with the Texas Rangers in 2001. Rodriguez sited that he was under enormous pressure to perform each day and that he wanted to prove that he was worth being one of the greatest players of all time.
Well, his statistics sure say that he is one of the greatest. But he proved it by using PEDs! By cheating! Now we are just supposed to marvel at his accomplishments and place him up there with Willie Mays, Babe Ruth and Hank Aaron?
Let's think back to the 1980's, when Pete Rose was under investigation for gambling. Rose denied every having bet on baseball. For years Charlie Hustle said he didn't do it.
When the proof finally came out, the all time hits leader apologized and excepted a lifetime ban from baseball. No Hall Of Fame for Pete Rose.
And what did everyone seem to be saying back then? "If only Pete would have told the truth right away. Admitted the gambling. We would have all forgave him".
Alex Rodriguez denied every using PEDs. For years he denied it. Until Sports Illustrated published a list of 104 players who tested positive for banned substances in 2003. A Rod was on the list. 48 hours later, Rodriguez admitted it.
It seems that Pete Rose and Alex Rodriguez have some things in common. Both broke Major League rules. Both lied and denied it for years. The difference is, though, that A Rod was finally suspended for the enitre 2014 season. And Rose was banned for life.
How many of Pete Rose's 4,256 hits came as a result of his gambling? How many times did Rose cheat during his performance on the field?
I agree with baseball's lifetime ban on Rose. Gambling has always been and always should be treated harshly. But Pete never enhanced his play or padded his stats artificially. A Rod did. How many home runs, MVP awards and long term multi million dollar contracts has Rodriguez enjoyed because of cheating?
So why is Alex Rodriguez allowed to continue to be a Major League baseball player? Why are we as fans supposed to get a tear in our eye because now Alex is sorry?
Alex Rodriguez did irreversible damage to baseball's record books. Plus he has raked in almost $700 million with the help of drugs.
A Rod isn't the only player to do this. Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, Rafael Palmeiro and Sammy Sosa are right there with him. But these players have mostly been bannished from our baseball hearts because of what they did. Why hasn't A Rod?
Now we are supposed to stand up and cheer because Alex Rodriguez passed Willie Mays on the all time home run list. He is now a member of the 3,000 hit club. He has over 2,000 runs batted in and has played in 14 All Star Games. Whoopdie Freakin Doo!
Does all this forgiveness for A Rod signal that someday he will have a plaque in Cooperstown? I think that's exactly what it means.
Hey, I'm all for forgiveness. Everyone is entiled to a second chance and nobody is perfect. Sounds great, right?
Tell it to Pete Rose.