On December 12, 2000 Alex Rodriguez signs the richest contract in sports history, a ten-year deal with the Rangers worth $252 million. The quarter billion dollars doubles the previous high of $126 million paid by the NBA’s Timberwolves to Kevin Garnett in a six-year agreement signed in October, 1997. He will nearly get traded to…
Alex Rodriguez signs the richest contract in sports history, a ten-year deal with the Rangers worth $252 million. The quarter billion dollars doubles the previous high of $126 million paid by the NBA’s Timberwolves to Kevin Garnett in a six-year agreement signed in October, 1997.
In a close race, Juan Gonzalez wins the American League’s Most Valuable Player award when he barely outpoints Mariners shortstop Alex Rodriguez, 290-287. The Rangers outfielder, also selected as the AL’s MVP in 1996, becomes the first Latin American native to win the prestigious prize multiple times.
Mariner shortstop Alex Rodriguez, in a 5-3 loss to the Angels at Edison International Field, hits his 40th home run of the season off Jack McDowell, becoming the first infielder and third player in major league history to have 40 homers and 40 stolen bases in the same season. Jose Canseco (A’s – 1988) and Barry Bonds (Giants – 1996) are the other members of the 40-40 club.
Dan Wilson hits the first inside-the-park grand slam in the history of the Mariners. The backstop’s first-inning bases-full round-tripper proves to be the difference in the M’s 10-6 victory over Detroit at the Kingdome.
Texas Rangers outfielder Juan Gonzalez edges Alex Rodriguez of the Seattle Mariners by three votes to win the American League MVP Award. It is the tightest race for the award in the AL since 1960. Gonzalez batted .314 with 47 home runs and 144 RBI despite missing 28 games with an injury.
1996 – A major league All-Star team opens an eight-game series in Japan with a 6 – 5 loss to the Japan All-Stars. Players include Cal Ripken, Jr., Sammy Sosa, Steve Finley, Brady Anderson, Barry Bonds, Mike Piazza, Hideo Nomo, Gary Sheffield, Alex Rodriguez, and Shane Reynolds.
1996 – After Baltimore manager Davey Johnson has his bat removed in the 5th inning‚ Seattle SS Alex Rodriguez borrows a bat from Ken Griffey and belts a 3-run homer to lead the Mariners to a 5 – 1 win over the O’s. A-Rod’s 34th home run pins the loss on David Wells.
On March 31, 1996, the Seattle Mariners and Chicago White Sox play the earliest Opening Day game in history. Playing at the Kingdome, the Mariners win, 3-2, on Alex Rodriguez’ RBI single in the 12th inning. Randy Johnson strikes out 12 White Sox batters in going the distance.
Red Sox shortstop John Valentin snares Marc Newfield’s sixth-inning line drive, steps on second retiring Mike Blowers, and then tags the runner coming from first, Kevin Mitchell, to turn an unassisted triple play. After completing the rare feat, accomplishing a play that has occurred only ten times in major league history, the infielder begins a three-homer outburst by Boston in the bottom of the frame, helping the team defeat the Mariners at Fenway Park, 4-3.
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