BALTIMORE — One of these days, Alex Rodriguez will take time to appreciate all the records and milestones he’s collected throughout his major league career.
Currently, however, A-Rod is interested in tabulating only one thing: victories for the New York Yankees.
Rodriguez joined Hank Aaron as the only members of the exclusive 2,000-RBI club Saturday night. Unfortunately, his effort was overshadowed by a barrage of hits by the Baltimore Orioles, who rolled to a 9-4 win.
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Rodriguez hit a two-run homer in the sixth inning to tie the game at 4. The drive off Bud Norris lifted A-Rod’s career RBI total to 2,001, second in major league history behind Aaron (2,297).
It was the 666th career home run for Rodriguez, fourth on baseball’s all-time list behind Babe Ruth, Aaron and Barry Bonds.
“You want to do these things and help the team win. We’re in a little bit of a three-game slide here, so that’s my main focus,” said Rodriguez, who is five hits short of 3,000.
“I won’t be able to appreciate these things until years after I’m done playing anyway,” he said.
When that happens, Rodriguez will particularly savor all those RBIs.
“The RBI statistic is such an interesting thing, because it’s such a collaborative effort from all my teammates that I’ve played (with) over the last 20 years,” he said. “It reminds me of some of the great players and friends I’ve collected over the years, so it’s a little bit of a toast to all of them.”
Thumbnail photo via Tommy Gilligan/USA TODAY Sports Images
