The New York Yankees announced Sunday that controversial slugger Alex Rodriguez will play the last game of his 22-year baseball career Aug. 12 at Yankee Stadium against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Rodriguez, 41, will become a special advisor and instructor with the Yankees through the end of 2017.
The three-time American League MVP will retire from the game with at least 3,114 hits and 696 home runs, the latter of which snags him fourth place on the all-time home run list.
But A-Rod's accomplishments are tainted in some people's opinions by his use of performance-enhancing drugs and his philandering.
New Yorkers had plenty of things to say about the end of his career with the Yankees:
Some are hoping the designated hitter will belt his way into the 700 homer club before he retires
I really hope that my best friend Alex Rodriguez (@AROD) hits 4 home runs this week.
— Mike Tilley (@miketilley13) August 8, 2016
Some are committed to attending his last game
I have unabashedly loved Alex Rodriguez since he became a Yankee and I will be there on Friday to send him off, come hell or high water.
— Rob Celebrity (@RobCelletti) August 7, 2016
It will cost a pretty penny to attend Friday's game, if you haven't already bought a ticket. The average ticket price for Friday's game at Yankee Stadium had soared to $345 as of Sunday afternoon, the Daily News reported.
Dogs in Yankee swag displayed their allegiance to the hitter
A photo posted by The Real Tasmanian Devil (Taz) (@the_real_tasmanian_devil) on
A photo posted by Chons the shih-tzu (@chonsybear_the_shihtzu) on
Some were outraged that the Yankees were cutting A-Rod loose against his wishes
Don't care what anyone says, Arod was forced to retire and a player of his caliber should never go out like that!
— Brian Miguel (@iBrianMiguel) August 8, 2016
Rodriguez was emotional at the press conference about his retirement Sunday, saying that team owner Hal Steinbrenner had approached him earlier that week about ending his career. This season has been a disappointing one for A-Rod, who has hit .204 overall and started once since July 22.
But even Rodriguez's biggest fans acknowledged his complex legacy, "from trash to hero"
#ARod should be remembered as talented athlete he was, but also as unrepentant serial cheater and liar who stained the game and the Yankees
— Mason (@Mason13NYC) August 8, 2016
#ARod retiring this Friday. Great player. True douchebag. This play sums it up. #LaterGator pic.twitter.com/dRgmAsrrLC
— Mikey D. (@mdouglas19) August 7, 2016
Rodriguez twice dealt with performance-enhancing drug scandals after joining the Yankees for their 2004 season. In 2009, he admitted to taking steroids earlier in his career. In 2013, new allegations surfaced, and Major League Baseball suspended him for 211 games without pay.
His critics, on the other hand, were ecstatic
Aroid got the ending he deserved.#ARod
— peter cast (@TheManFromDisco) August 8, 2016
Some disapproved of his new role as a mentor to young players, calling it a "disgrace"
Yankees hire admitted steroids user to mentor young players, pay him $21 million. #Exactly. #ARod #Schande
— joelle (@bathoward) August 8, 2016
@NYTSports @HarveyAraton So right about @Yankees and @AROD deserving each other. ARod a mentor?? To young players? Pathetic. @MikeLupica
— Judith B (@SoccerLacrossMa) August 8, 2016