Few names in baseball elicit the kind of reaction that Alex Rodriguez does. The highly popular yet infamous former hitter has had a career worth remembering. The once record holder for the biggest contract signed, A-Rod has always been controversies’ favorite child. Yet the man himself would attest that he is no longer the person he was during his youth, the time he had the entire world in his hands. He had already begun changing but 2009 was the year A-Rod found a turning point. This is what the former New York Yankees pitcher and two-time World Series winner A.J. Burnett revealed recently.

A.J. Burnett and Rodriguez used to be teammates wearing Pinstripes. The two won a World Series together but more than that, they forged a lasting friendship with each other. But just how close are they? Burnett has a sweet answer.

2009 humbled Alex Rodriguez deeply, according to Burnette

When A.J. Burnett joined the Bronx Bombers in 2009, Rodriguez had already been a part of the team for a few years. Though A-Rod remained as popular as ever in the Yankees things were a bit different for him. His notoriously bad postseason form was already troubling him when the slugger found another problem. His usage of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) during his tenure with the Texas Rangers had been revealed for all the world to see. 

Suddenly the hero had turned into public enemy No. 1. Already regretting his actions, the controversial saga had a deep impact on Rodriguez. The once almost cocky individual turned into a quiet but humble man. A.J. Burnett revealed as much when he came to the Foul Territory Show.

“I didn’t know Alex back then before going to Yankees but he was great. I could text him right now and that boy, he’d text me back in a heartbeat.” 

Burnette revealed how even years after retirement, he and Rodriguez were still in touch with each other. He then continued about the change he saw in A-Rod. “I think he really got humbled in 09 by that, you know the hip, and the steroid experience so he, I think he really came down to earth.”

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Alex Rodriguez has become more humble but he still finds himself in controversies. He was in the news recently due to his comments on the Yankees and his shirt number.

A-Rod found himself in hot waters due to his remark on Yankees using his no.13 

Rodriguez recently sparked a dispute when he complained about the Yankees misusing his shirt number. The retired shortstop didn’t like that the Yankees allowed Joey Gallo to wear the No. 13 jersey. Gallo infamously bombed with the Pinstripes, a disappointment in the Bronx. A-Rod told WFan’s Evan Tiki last Wednesday, “It did not make me happy.”

Rodriguez’s ultimate wish is to see his number get retired by the Yankees but wondered if that would ever happen due to his outspoken words as an MLB analyst. Still, whatever may be the case going forward, his impact on the team’s history cannot be denied. A-Rod’s performances gave immense joy to countless fans and now he’s continuing on that front through his work as an analyst.

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