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
Some are committed to attending his last game
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
But even Rodriguez's biggest fans acknowledged his complex legacy, "from trash to hero"
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
Some disapproved of his new role as a mentor to young players, calling it a "disgrace"
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