MLB icon Alex Rodriguez spent most part of his career with the New York Yankees. It is with them only that A-Rod won the prestigious World Series in 2009. Even though the former Yankee made multiple mistakes in his career, he turned out to be one of the best ever to play the sport. The experience that he had in his career as an athlete or as a businessman was one of a kind.
Hence, A-Rod has his brain picked every once in a while. It is for him to speak about his experiences from playing ball. And also what it was like to win the Fall Classic. After retiring from the game, aside from turning into a fully fledge businessman, the former Yankee also became an analyst of baseball. While doing so, one time, he discussed the hangover players feel after winning a World Series.
Alex Rodriguez sure got a taste of a World Series hangover!
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Back in 2019, during an episode of Coffee with A-Rod, Alex Rodriguez spoke about how a hangover from winning a Fall Classic is different from that of an alcoholic one. It’s because after winning a World Series, an athlete has a shortened off-season. Also, he is surrounded by ten times more distractions. Hence, a player does not come to spring training as prepped as he should be.
Talking about his experience, A-Rod said, “After winning the championship in 09, we just felt coming in a lot more relaxed.” Additionally, he said, “Sometimes you come into spring training, and it’s not as hungry, you’re not as pretty, sometimes you have a little bit more of a country-club feel, you see golf clubs more, better tans, better cars in the parking lot, … and the less Lamborghinis and Mercedes Benz are in the parking lot the better. Sometimes you need some good fords and to be Toyota’s out there too.”
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A championship hangover can result in a baseball player wanting to spend on better cars like Lamborghinis and Benz. But a team also needs the Ford or Toyota working-class mentality to stay competitive and avoid complacency.
A-Rod’s desire to succeed was incomparable!
A-Rod dreamt of becoming a professional baseball player as a kid. And even though the resources available to him back then were limited, he did everything in his capacity to achieve his goal. The moment he turned 18, he had already bought a couple of Rolex watches from his first salary as a pro ballplayer. The former Yankee recorded countless accolades to his name and showed everybody what hard work can achieve.
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His desire to succeed and be perfect was incomparable throughout his entire storied career of over two decades in the big league. How do you like A-Rod as an athlete? Let us know in the comments below!