“Why the Hate?”- New York Yankees’ $6 Million Alex Rodriguez Refusal Once Left MLB Icon Barry Bonds Fuming

When talking about Alex Rodriguez, it is impossible not to talk about his controversies while playing baseball. As a result of the opt-out controversy, the shortstop-turned-baseman, A-Rod, entered free agency. However, his desire to stay with the Yankees persisted, and he signed a ten-year, $275 million contract with the Pinstripes. This new contract included various clauses that would have allowed him additional bonuses to break home run records. Eventually, A-Rod crossed Willie Mays’ 660 home run mark, but the Pinstripes front office refused to credit him his due bonus for the contract.

Barry Bonds, however, perceived this move very differently. The Yankees shied away from their A-Rod contract because of the slugger’s steroid scandal and suspension. Bonds, who was also a victim of steroid consumption and allegations, obviously defended A-Rod, who fell into the same category as him.

What did Barry Bonds think about Alex Rodriguez not receiving his bonus?

Bonds opposed the Yankees and spoke about how the slugger has already done time for his bad faith. Now, since he broke a record, it was time to celebrate it. The Yanks’ front office continued to believe that every homer hit by A-Rod was tainted, which seemed quite insincere, cause they continued to keep A-Rod in the setup. And as a result, refused to allow him a $6 million bonus he was due after he broke Willie Mays’ 660-homer record.

As reported by Atlanta Black Star in 2015, Barry Bonds believed that baseball should celebrate A-Rod, as he consistently entertained and carried the sport. He said, “Why the hate? Why hate on something you’re paying to see? I don’t understand it. He’s entertaining us.”

Read More: “I Just Thought It Was…”- Alex Rodriguez Shares the Secret Behind His Mastery Over the Curveball and Amassing 696 Home Runs

Since 2013, Barry Bonds has consistently tried to find himself a place in the Baseball Hall of Fame. And celebrating A-Rod would add sympathy to his case and would trigger momentum toward his eventual and hopeful Hall of Fame entry.

A-Rod’s Opt-Out controversy:

Almost 15 years after making his MLB debut, Alex Rodriguez entered free agency for the third time in his career, after he opted out from the New York Yankees’ ten-year, $252 million contract. After the 2007 season came to an end, and A-Rod won the AL MVP award for the third time, he opted out from the Yankees contract, despite his previous comments of wanting to stay with the Bronx Bombers.

Eventually, though, he returned to his home in New York, at Yankee Stadium, and continued to dominate the entire MLB before his steroid scandal stained his life forever.

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Do you think A-Rod deserved to receive his bonus, as stipulated by his contract? Leave your comments below!