Christian BryantNew York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez swung his way into baseball history Friday night by getting his 3,000th hit at Yankee Stadium.
But it wasn't just any hit. Rodriguez homered No. 3,000, becoming only the third player in baseball history to do so. Friday's quadruple-digit achievement comes a little more than a month after A-Rod tied Willie Mays for all-time home runs at 660.
Much of A-Rod's season, so far, has been overshadowed by his year-long suspension, bonus money he was owed, his use of performance enhancing drugs and a hand-written apology — that some people pretty much labeled a farce. Take for instance this dramatic reading of his apology. (Video via YES Network)
"I accept the fact that many of you will not believe my apology or anything that I say at this point."
"There's been so much talk and lack of attention for this milestone. If anybody else were going for this milestone, it would be huge," ESPN's Zubin Mehenti said.
But despite what sports reporters have called a "lack of attention" — or just flat-out apathy — for A-Rod's achievements this season, he reportedly garnered stadium-wide approval Friday, at least for a moment. His teammates cheered him on, fans screamed and the jumbotron read, "Congratulations, Alex."
This video includes images from Getty Images.
