Alex Rodriguez, the former Yankees star, recently opened up about his struggles and contemplation of quitting baseball during his lowest point in an exclusive interview with PEOPLE. Rodriguez revealed that he felt overwhelming shame and exhaustion towards the end of his career, leading him to consider giving up. He confessed, “I went away for two weeks, feeling a lot of shame, and thought, ‘Why keep fighting? Why not just tap out?’ That was my state of mind for a while.”
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Despite his love for the game, Rodriguez faced challenges and pain throughout his almost 25-year career. While watching the World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays, he admitted feeling a strong desire to be back on the field. The baseball legend confessed to PEOPLE that he would have paid a substantial amount to play in Game 7. However, the toll of the constant battles eventually took its toll on him.
Now at 50 years old, nearly a decade after retiring, Rodriguez shared that he is in a much better place mentally. In his new HBO docuseries, Alex vs ARod, released on Nov. 6, he delves into the highs and lows of his life. Rodriguez emphasized the importance of sharing his story authentically, including the good, bad, and ugly parts. He highlighted the significance of his public struggles, aiming to offer hope to others facing similar challenges.
Growing up in the Dominican Republic and Miami, Rodriguez developed a strong drive for excellence on the baseball field, which sometimes manifested as an obsession with being the best. Throughout his career, he faced controversies and scandals, including being linked to performance-enhancing drugs. Despite these challenges, Rodriguez remains grateful for his journey and the lessons learned along the way.
Rodriguez reflected on the negativity surrounding his career, from being labelled as greedy to dealing with steroid scandals. Despite the media scrutiny and public missteps, he persevered, embracing the persona of ‘A-Rod’ to navigate the challenges. Now, as a successful sports announcer for Fox Sports and a co-owner of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx, Rodriguez stands firm in his belief of not having any regrets about his past.
In his current role, Rodriguez aims to use his experiences to help others learn from his mistakes by taking ownership of them. He expressed contentment in his present state, stating, “I don’t think I’ve ever been happier. And I don’t think that would be the case without some of the mistakes.” Rodriguez’s journey serves as a testament to resilience and growth, showcasing that even in one’s darkest moments, there is always room for redemption and transformation.