Alex Rodriguez to Retire and Become Instructor with Yankees

Legendary MLB superstar Alex Rodriguez of the New York Yankees has announced his playing career will come to an end August 12, 2016.

The New York Yankees held their second emotional press conference of the weekend Sunday morning. On Friday 36-year-old first baseman Mark Teixeira announced the end of his 14 year playing career. Now Alex Rodriguez has decided to join his longtime teammate in hanging up his spikes.

Unlike Texieira, it sounds as if Alex Rodriguez will not finish out the 2016 season with the New York Yankees. A choked up A-Rod revealed that his final MLB game would take place on August 12.

Rodriguez chose Friday as his last game for logistical reasons. He wants to finish his career at Yankee Stadium and wants time to fly in his family.

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Apparently Alex Rodriguez will remain with the club at least through the end of 2017 as a special adviser and instructor. It’s not clear exactly what that position will entail, but it is nice to see that this decision is amicable and he will retain some kind of relationship with the club.

This decision was a long-time coming, but that didn’t make it any easier for Alex Rodriguez. At the same time, he expressed pride for what he had accomplished during his lengthy career.

"This is a tough day. I love this game. I love this team. And today I’m saying goodbye to both. This is also a proud day. I was 18 when I broke into the big leagues I never thought I could play for 22 years"

Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner was on hand for the press conference, he told the assembled reporters:

"After spending several days discussing this plan with Alex, I am pleased that he will remain a part of our organization moving forward and transition into a role in which I know he can flourish."

Alex Rodriguez may not have envisioned his career coming to an end this season, but he should be applauded for making the right decision to walk away with his head held high. As he told reporters:

"No athlete ever ends his career or her career how you want to. We all want to keep playing forever, but it doesn’t work that way. Accepting the end gratefully is part of being a professional athlete. Saying goodbye might be the hardest part of the job, but it’s what I’m doing today."

Regardless of the controversy that surrounded him for much of his career, Alex Rodriguez will go down as one of the very best players in baseball history and a legendary Yankee. It is sad to see his career end this way, but it is certainly for the best for him to end it on his own terms.

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Hopefully Alex will remain a vital part of the New York Yankees organization for years to come. We at Yanks Go Yard wish him nothing but the best in the future.