Boston Red Sox

Here's why Alex Rodriguez wishes he was more like David Ortiz

Published Nov. 15, 2016 3:06 p.m. ET

Chris Bahr

Alex Rodriguez admittedly has plenty of regrets about the mistakes he has made off the field during his career, but he says he is satisfied with how his career has gone on the field – with one exception.

Speaking with YES Network’s Michael Kay ahead of his final game Friday, Rodriguez said he wishes he would have been more clutch during his career – like his buddy David Ortiz.

“I think every part of my game could have been better, but I’m a perfectionist and I’m never satisfied with what I do out there. … And look, the clutch gene of David Ortiz, I mean who would not want that? I wish over my career I would have had more big hits and more walk-off home runs like Big Papi.”

A-Rod has seen Ortiz’s magic first-hand, as the Red Sox slugger has hit .305/.396/.569 with 52 homers and 166 RBI in 236 games against the Yankees. And then there was the 2004 ALCS when Ortiz’s walk-off hits in Games 4 and 5 helped fuel Boston’s comeback from a 3-0 series deficit against New York.

As for that ’04 collapse, Rodriguez isn’t haunted by it.

“Everything happens for a reason, and if that would have been different, I think [the Yankees’ World Series win] ’09 wouldn’t have been as sweet," Rodriguez said.