The tale of Alex Rodriguez is one of power, controversy, success, and wealth that has played out in the baseball stadium, the business world, and his various high-profile romances. But beneath the surface, A-Rod’s journey began with a monumental roadblock, as the man who would eventually hit 696 home runs was left to navigate life without his father.

However, despite abandoning his entire family after moving to Miami, A-Rod’s father, Victor Rodriguez, left young Alex with a flame for baseball, which in turn stands as the foundation of the future MLB great’s success.

If not for his father’s love for baseball, Alex Rodriguez would’ve never stepped in the park

The senior Rodriguez, Victor, spent long hours in front of a television set watching New York games. Being a die-hard Mets fan, A-Rod’s father also played as a professional catcher in the Dominican Republic. His passion for baseball shaped his son’s adoration for the sport. The rest, as we can see today, is part of record books.

In a Talkroute article, A-Rod explained the role of his father in his passion for baseball, and how that “rubbed off” on him. The 14-time All-Star said, “I saw how passionate he was about the game. How closely he paid attention to it. That rubbed off on me.”

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Alex and Victor’s rocky relationship was evident from the start. But even today, A-Rod never fails to mention the influence his father had on both his baseball and business. Born in 1929, at the age of 86, Alex Rodriguez lost his father in 2015.

Through thick and thin, A-Rod’s mother fought through it all

After relocating from New York to Miami, Alex Rodriguez’s father deserted the family, leaving the burden of providing for the family solely on his wife, Lourdes. In response, Lourdes took on the challenge and worked tirelessly, putting in double shifts every day to make ends meet and ensure that her son could continue playing baseball.

Two years back, on Mother’s Day, A-Rod shared an adorable, heartfelt message for his mother through his Instagram.

What are your views on A-Rod’s father’s influence that shaped the Yankee slugger’s MLB career? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

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