Major League Baseball

A-Rod reaches another controversial milestone

Published Jun. 6, 2015 2:51 p.m. ET

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By Noah Klayman

Alex Rodriguez has been a great surprise for the Yankees this season despite his troublesome past.

On Friday, Rodriguez achieved yet another accomplishment in a season full of milestones, muddled in controversy. In his first four-hit game since back in 2011, A-Rod moved past Barry Bonds for 2nd place on the all-time career RBI (Runs Batted In) list. After his single off of Angels’ starter Jered Weaver knocked in the 1,997th RBI of his career, A-Rod now finds himself trailing only Hank Aaron (2,297). He also scored his 1,950th career run in the game, putting him in 8th place on the all-time run list. Rodriguez’s big day at the plate helped the Yankees secure their fourth straight victory, a hotly contested 8-7 victory over the Angels that featured a dramatic six-run 9th inning comeback that fell just short.

However, this achievement is surrounded by much controversy, something A-Rod has become all too familiar with. Comparing current-day players to former players in terms of their RBIs is no easy feat considering that the Elias Sports Bureau, Major League Baseball’s official statistician, did not begin tracking RBIs until 1920. That lag hurts players like Babe Ruth, who acquired many of his record-setting stats prior to 1920.

Right now, A-Rod sits at 2nd on the all-time list, according to Major League Baseball. But, if RBIs compiled prior to 1920 are included in the calculations, then he is actually in 3rd because both Cap Anson and Babe Ruth would have more RBIs if their pre-1920 numbers were to be included.

Although it is largely a coincidence that A-Rod happens to be breaking all these records within the same season, he actually is playing some great ball. He is outperforming expectations, especially given that many thought he would never again wear pinstripes. With 11 homers, he trails only Mark Teixeira, who has drilled 17 into the stands, for most on the team through 55 games. He is also 3rd on the team in RBIs this season with 28 in his 52 games played. Lastly, his .284 batting average is more than stellar for a designated hitter. Including A-Rod, there are only four primary designated hitters in the American League with a batting average over .260. His batting average so far this season is even higher than it was in 2010 when he homered 30 times and knocked in 125 RBIs for the Yankees.

A-Rod has not been the only surprise this season for the Yankees, or even for the AL East as a whole. With a record only slightly over .500 (30-25), the Yankees somehow still find themselves in 1st place of the traditionally top-notch AL East division. Rodriguez and Teixeira, two players undoubtedly well past their prime playing years, have carried the team. While the average age of an MLB player is 27, these two surprise stars are 39 and 35 years old, respectively.

While the RBI controversy should not really directly affect A-Rod too much, the home-run controversy that continues to linger surely will. Whether or not the Yankees will be forced to pay him the $6 million incentive bonus for tying Willie Mays at 660 homers remains unclear. A-Rod has emphasized his desire to steer clear from any further controversy or strife with the team, but he does still have until June 15th to file a grievance. Even if he does not do so, it would not be a big surprise if the Players Union itself reached out to the MLB on A-Rod’s behalf. As for now, both A-Rod and the Yankees appear perfectly content to wait until next offseason to handle this in order to keep their focus on performing well and winning baseball games.

This article New York Yankees: A-Rod reaches another controversial milestone appeared first on isportsweb by Noah Klayman

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