Alex Rodriguez Memorabilia Buying Guide

By Sean J. O'Rourke

Hands down the most complete, talented and accomplished player in baseball today, Alex Rodriguez is beyond the Hall of Fame conversation and in the category of all-time baseball greats. Born in New York City, Rodriguez made his Major League debut for the Seattle Mariners in 1994 at 18 years old and quickly established himself as one of the game's premier players. In 1996, his first full season as starting shortstop for the Mariners, A-Rod hit a whopping .358 while belting 36 home runs and driving in 123 runs batted in in what is considered to be the best statistical season for a shortstop in baseball history. In 1998, Rodriguez became only the third player in baseball history to join the 40/40 club as he belted 42 home runs to go along with 46 stolen bases. As the year 2000 approached the Mariners went into a stage of rebuilding, letting A-Rod walk to free agency. Rodriguez signed with the Texas Rangers and had some of the most statistically impressive seasons that baseball has ever seen. In his first season with Texas, A-Rod would go on to bash 52 home runs while collecting 393 total bases, a Major League record for the shortstop position. With seemingly only his own marks to surpass, Alex would follow up the 2001 season by hitting a Major League best 57 home runs, 142 RBI and 389 total bases in 2002, he became the first player to lead all-three major offensive categories in two decades. In 2003, Rodriguez won the elusive Most Valuable Player award as he again led the American League in home runs, slugging percentage and runs scored while winning his second consecutive Gold Glove for outstanding defensive at shortstop.

After the Texas Rangers botched a deal to send Rodriguez to the Boston Red Sox, the New York Yankees swept in and traded their starting second basemen Alfonso Soriano to Texas in exchange for Rodriguez. Clad in Yankee pinstripes, Rodriguez continued his assault on the record books by pumping another 36 home runs in 2004, becoming the youngest player to ever hit 350 career homers. Rodriguez won his second career Most Valuable Player award in 2005, becoming only the fifth player in Major League history to win the honor with two different clubs. In 2006 A-Rod achieved his 2,000th career hit, which was also his 450th career home run. His 113 runs scored in 2006 was his 11th consecutive season scoring 100+ runs, a streak not seen since Lou Gehrig scored 100+ runs in 13 consecutive seasons between 1926 and 1938. Despite his individual success, New York sports fans grew increasingly frustrated by the team's lack of success in postseason play in recent years, unfairly placing most of the blame on Rodriguez's shoulders. In the face of adversity, A-Rod would deliver one of the greatest offensive seasons in baseball history. With a new lighter attitude in tow, Rodriguez went on to blast 54 home runs while driving in 156 runs in 2007, both best among American Leaguers. Cruising to his third career Most Valuable Player award, A-Rod endeared himself to the fans of New York by almost single-handedly leading the Yankees to the playoffs.

A lock for the Hall of Fame, Alex Rodriguez is one of the all-time greatest players in baseball history. A man who will put his name at the top of many of baseball's most important offensive records in the coming seasons, there is no better investment to make than authentic Alex Rodriguez memorabilia.

• Autographed Jersey w/ MVP Inscription: Ruth, Gehrig, DiMaggio, Rodriguez. The greatest players in the history of the game have always gravitated towards those trademark New York Yankee pinstripes. One of the game's premier player since stepping onto the diamond as an 18-year old starting shortstop, Alex Rodriguez is on pace to soon become Major League Baseball's career home run leader. Rodriguez further established himself as a once-in-a-lifetime talent with a monster 2007 campaign, slapping 54 home runs while driving in 156 runs on the way to his third career MVP award. Alex Rodriguez hand-signed this replica Yankees home jersey, inscribing "2007 AL MVP" underneath his signature. A future Hall of Famer and one of the most memorable players of all-time, add a true asset to your collection today with this Alex Rodriguez autographed jersey!

• Autographed Bat: The future MLB career home run king Alex Rodriguez has hand-signed this Rawlings Professional baseball bat. The youngest, fastest player to reach the 500 home run mark, Alex Rodriguez is on  pace to shatter Barry Bonds' 762 record for most career home runs. An Alex Rodriguez autographed bat  is the perfect way to bring Arod into your memorabilia collection.  Referring to the most prestigious record in all of sports, as Alex approaches the all-time home run mark the value and the demand for his genuine autographed memorabilia will skyrocket to a fever pitch in the near future. If you're looking to make a grand slam addition to your collection, look no further than A-Rod. The most complete player in the game, Rodriguez is an undeniable first ballot Hall of Fame player who will be remembered as one of sports' all-time greatest athletes. Having an Alex Rodriguez signed bat  is key for any  Arod  memorabilia collection. 

• GW Grand Slam Autographed Photograph: Blasting a hanging Chris Ray changeup into the Yankee Stadium bleachers on April 7, 2007, Alex Rodriguez not only won the game for his Yankees but also became only the third player in Major League Baseball history to hit three walk-off, game-winning grand slams. The most complete player in the game today, Alex Rodriguez inches closer to being recognized as baseball's all-time greatest hitter with each plate appearance. The three-time American League Most Valuable Player hand-signed this top-quality photograph, showing a jubilant A-Rod clad in Yankee pinstripes, celebrating his 14th career grand slam. In addition to his signature, Rodriguez added "GW Grand Slam.”  Certainly a grand slam addition for your collection, there is no bigger star in the sports universe than Alex Rodriguez. Mentioned in the same sentence as Mantle and Ruth, add this Yankee great to your collection today and make a solid investment you'll treasure for generations!

• Autographed Baseball: Without a doubt, you'll want an Alex Rodriguez signed ball in your collection. Taking his game to new heights as a member of the New York Yankees, A-Rod has hand-signed this authentic MLB Rawlings baseball. A true centerpiece for your collection, take home a piece of one of the sport's all-time most prolific offensive players as he chases the career home run title, the most prestigious record in all of sports. The youngest player to hit 500 career home runs, Alex Rodriguez has one of the most sought-after autographs in sports. The demand for Alex's authentic memorabilia will only grow as he ascends Major League Baseball's career home run list, insuring that each and every Alex Rodriguez addition to your collection is a solid investment. Bring one of baseball's premier players home today with this authentic Alex Rodriguez autographed ball!

• Autographed Photograph w/ 2007 MVP Inscription: A truly must-have addition for every Yankee fan's collection, this beautiful top-quality 16x20" photograph showcases reigning MVP Alex Rodriguez on deck at Yankee Stadium. Rodriguez has hand-signed this great photograph of himself taking practice cuts with the Yankees "NY" field logo in the background. Slugging a Yankee Stadium record 26 home runs at the House That Ruth Built during his 2007 campaign, Rodriguez went on to collect his third career American League Most Valuable Player award following the season. The premier superstar in sports today, Rodriguez not only hand-signed this great photograph but also inscribed "2007 AL MVP" underneath. A true asset and great centerpiece for any-sized sports lovers' collection, add this immensely popular and valuable piece of genuine memorabilia to your home today!