Is Alex Rodriguez Going to Be the Best Ever?

It's entirely too early to make a final analysis, but it's fun to think about. Where does A-Rod rank on the list of all-time greats? More interestingly, where will he rank when he finishes his already illustrious playing career?

The Baseball Analysts took on exactly this question after Rodriguez's incredible weekend -- which is still in progress, by the way -- and the conclusions were favorable, to say the least.

Roger Maris, Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, and Lou Gehrig. ARod's name would fit in there just fine. In fact, he happens to sit in 11th place now (with 48 in his MVP season in 2005). How about Joe DiMaggio, you ask? Tied for 14th with 46 in 1937, his second year in the majors. Take a second look at that list and you'll notice that Rodriguez is already number one among all right-handed batters. After DiMaggio, you have to go all the way down to 28th to find the next RHB (Alfonso Soriano, 2002, and the Yankee Clipper, 1948, with 39).
In the meantime, Rodriguez passed Stan Musial and Willie Stargell for 25th on the all-time home run list with 476. He is a shoo-in to become the youngest player to hit 500 (beating out Jimmie Foxx) and could rank among the top 20 before the year is out.

For those of you who get worked up about Barry Bonds passing Hank Aaron, relax. Alex Rodriguez is going to pass them both by the time he hangs 'em up.

That's an incredibly ringing endorsement, and that's just A-Rod's home run numbers. His other numbers, not to mention his ability to transfer positions and still play at a high defensive level, is a whole 'nother story. In any case, we're watching one of the all-time greats (Albert Pujols and Barry Bonds are others) -- and perhaps the best ever -- every day. Enjoy it.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

4-22-2007 @ 11:01PM

Brendan Loy said...

About the game that's still in progress... it's Boston's big hitters who are making history:

http://www.brendanloy.com/wp/2007/04/bonds-hits-740th-homer-red-sox-look-to-sweep-yanks.html

It�s only the fifth time in Major League Baseball history that a team has hit back-to-back-to-back-to-back home runs. ...

June 8, 1961: Reds 10, Braves 8 - Braves get 4 consecutive home runs in top 7th (Eddie Mathews, Hank Aaron, Joe Adcock and Frank Thomas)

July 31, 1963: Indians 9, Angels 5 - Indians get 4 consecutive home runs in bottom 6th (Woodie Held, Pedro Ramos, Tito Francona, Larry Brown)

May 2, 1964: Twins 7, Athletics 3 - Twins get 4 consecutive home runs in top 11th (Tony Oliva, Bob Allison, Jimmie Hall, Harmon Killebrew)

September 18, 2006: Dodgers 11, Padres 10 - Dodgers get 4 consecutive home runs in bottom 9th (Jeff Kent, J.D. Drew, Russell Martin and Marlon Anderson)

April 22, 2007: Red Sox vs. Yankees (in progress) - Red Sox get 4 consecutive home runs in bottom 3rd (Manny Ramirez, J.D. Drew, Mike Lowell and Jason Veritek)

4-22-2007 @ 11:05PM

Keith Gordon said...

Of course, A-Rod will have all the number necessary to claim the best ever status. However, a stake to be the best ever hinges on how well his NY Yankee team does, especially this year. This will be a problem for him, because the pitching is below average to horrible.

It may be better for Rodriquez to play out the year in New York, compile as many HR's and RBI's as he can, then opt out of the contract and surface in Wrigley Field in 2008.

4-23-2007 @ 4:30AM

almanorjoey said...

Best Ever huh? Tough question to find a realistic and unbiased answer. I'm gonna say "maybe" but if pushed, i'm landing on the side of the "no" fence.

Like everybody else, i'm a MLB Fan. I'm partial to the players that through the years, have greatly helped my team to win. Being a Giants fan since the sixties, that makes both Willie Mays and Barry Bonds two on the "A" list.

Has anyone noticed that Barry Bonds is leading the National League in On Base, Slugging, and OPS percentages? While batting near .350, he's indeed having a very fine year himself...again.

If A-Rod stays healthy, gets out of NY, and doesn't suffer from a nervious breakdown, He should have claim to being one of the greatest ever. That's about all anyone could ever make claim to as there are too many great ones and many more serious fans making claims that their player is the "best ever".

4-23-2007 @ 5:35PM

Nick Adams said...

This year will tell all. Baseball fans must put their biases aside to realize that what we're seeing is special, regardless of the team that you support. Baseball can capture our imamginations like nothing before when a player is doing things that causes us to hold our collective breath. It's like Roy Hobbs hitting a monster homerun that shatters the field lights, or plowing on to the corn crop to build a baseball field because a voice told you to, or in real life, it's like Willie Mays making an incredible catch, Jackie Robinson stealing home, or a season seeing Mantle and Maris go back and forth for the homerun title. I love it and i hope everyone also realizes how special it is to be watching Alex Rodriguez as he too chases history.

5-28-2007 @ 12:56AM

acsportsbooks.com said...

Yes, best ever... he is clearly on that path, and with his age, he should crush Bonds record (what ever # he ends up with).

4-24-2007 @ 3:31PM

By the way, I forgot to add that I also believe Alex Rodriguez will shatter the all-time homerun record. He will push for 800. If you do the math and figure how many he will have to average per year then given his age you can't come to any other conclusion. The "new" Alex Rodriguez can accomplish this feat in New York too.

4-23-2007 @ 6:54PM

melissa said...

I must say first and foremost that I am a die hard yankees fan. Have been for all 25 years of my life and i truly think that we are watching history everyday that Alex Rodriguez plays. I can also say that I am the only yankee fan i know that feels AROD still belongs in pinstripes. I dont want to see him accomplish everything that he will accomplish in his career with any other team. And i certainly dont want to have to be the team to have him break records AGAINST!!!!! consider this .... though Arod has not done well in the post season, over the past 3 years that everyone critisises and says are horrible years, still beat the numbers that most other players in baseball have. and the same numbers for other players are considered great years. does anyone besides me find a major double standard surrounding Arod. he does not want to opt out of his contract. he does not want to leave the yankees. and if he keeps doing half as great as he is right now, the yankees will not want him to go anywhere else. regardless of where he plays he will destroy most records held for year. and he will be remembered for decades and centuries and one of the greastest players to ever live.

4-24-2007 @ 12:44PM

Tony French said...

I think he needs to get tested for steroids. as a matter of fact ever guy in the majors needs to get tested.

4-27-2007 @ 12:06AM

jay said...

Arod is the man. Just give him time and I think if the yanks do make the postseason, he'll play well. He's so motivated this year. The yanks just need need consistent pitching!!!