Alexander Emmanuel Rodriguez (born July 27, 1975 in New York City), commonly nicknamed A-Rod, is a Dominican American, power-hitting third baseman for the New York Yankees baseball club. He previously played shortstop for the Seattle Mariners and the Texas Rangers.

For the period since 1996, Rodriguez leads Major League Baseball in home runs (HR), runs scored, runs batted in (RBI), total bases, and extra-base hits. Among all players in baseball history prior to their 31st birthday, he is currently first in runs scored and total bases, second in extra base hits and RBI, and fourth in hits. In addition, to this point in his career Rodriguez has more home runs, runs batted in, runs scored, and base hits than all–time leaders Hank Aaron (RBI), Barry Bonds (HR), Rickey Henderson (runs scored), and Pete Rose (hits) did prior to their 31st birthdays. He is the youngest player ever to hit 500 home runs, breaking the record Jimmie Foxx set in 1939. He is also the youngest player in Major League history to hit for the cycle, at the age of 21.

Rodriguez has been cited as among the best all–around players currently in Major League Baseball. He has also been compared with many all-time great players.

On October 28, 2007, Rodriguez, at the recommendation of his agent, opted out of the final three years of his contract with the Yankees. On December 13, 2007, Rodriguez announced the signing of a new 10-year contract with the Yankees, reportedly worth $275 million and $30 million more if he breaks the all-time home run record of 762, making it the richest contract in baseball history (and breaking his previously set record for richest contract in baseball history of $252 million). (via Wikipedia)