via Getty
NEW YORK, NY – AUGUST 12: Alex Rodriguez #13 of the New York Yankees looks on after being introduced for a ceremony honoring his retirement from baseball prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Rays on August 12, 2016 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Christopher Pasatieri/Getty Images)
via Getty
NEW YORK, NY – AUGUST 12: Alex Rodriguez #13 of the New York Yankees looks on after being introduced for a ceremony honoring his retirement from baseball prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Rays on August 12, 2016 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Christopher Pasatieri/Getty Images)
Even after six years of his retirement, Alex “A-Rod” Rodriguez has been one of the most popular faces in Major League Baseball. During his 22 years long stay in MLB, the New York Yankees legend never missed an opportunity to entertain the baseball fans.
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However, in any sport, every player comes down to a phase where they will have to make some tough decisions. And in A-Rod’s case, it was during the last years of his playing career.
Notably, A-Rod spent most of his playing years at the New York Yankees. And that is where he established himself as a legendary player.
Why did the Yankees change A-Rod’s playing position?
There is no denying that Alex “A-Rod” Rodriguez is one of the greatest ever to play in Major League Baseball. And almost every baseball fan must be aware of his playing position; shortstop.
However, during his last years in MLB, the Yankees legend switched his position. And from a first-choice shortstop of the team, he became the first baseman. But, apparently, the change didn’t work out for both the Yankees and the player himself.
via Getty
NEW YORK – JULY 21: Alex Rodriguez #13 of the New York Yankees swings at the pitch against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on July 21, 2007 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. The Yankees defeated the Devil Rays 7-3 in game one of their doubleheader. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Notably, A-Rod made his comeback in the 2015 season, after a two-season ban from MLB due to his involvement with PEDs. After making his comeback, he was already 40 years old. And he was also not in a good shape. That was the main reason behind switching his position from shortstop to a first baseman.
On this date in 2015: The #Yankees started working A-Rod out at first base. The experiment didn’t last long. pic.twitter.com/PEFOto5Ilp
— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) February 27, 2022
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The Yankees manager Joe Girardi (in 2016) had confirmed that A-Rod himself decided to make the switch, not the manager or the organization. However, this experiment didn’t last long and after the 2016 season, Alex “A-Rod” bid farewell to MLB.
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“If a guy’s not comfortable, I’m not going to put him in there,” Girardi said. “He came to us, and I’m not going to deny a player a chance in that sense. The fact that he’s willing to try again, I think is a good thing.”
