Seattle Mariners (1994–2000) Alex Rodriguez

1 seattle mariners (1994–2000)

1.1 1994–1995
1.2 1996–1997
1.3 1998–2000

seattle mariners (1994–2000)
1994–1995

in 1994, rodriguez made professional baseball debut minor league player appleton foxes of class midwest league. promoted jacksonville suns of class aa southern league. played in 17 games jacksonville, , promoted major leagues. on july 8, 1994, rodriguez debuted in major leagues starting shortstop @ age 18 years, 11 months, , 11 days. third 18-year-old major league shortstop since 1900. first 18-year-old major league player in 10 years, , youngest position player in seattle history. rodriguez recorded first major league hit when singled off of sergio valdez on july 9 @ fenway park. rodriguez played in 17 games mariners, compiling .204 batting average, 2 rbis, , 3 stolen bases. mariners optioned rodriguez calgary cannons of class aaa pacific coast league (pcl) in august. in 32 games calgary, had 37 hits in 119 at-bats .311 batting average. compiled 6 home runs , 21 rbis.

rodriguez batting calgary cannons in 1994

rodriguez split of 1995 between mariners , tacoma rainiers of pcl. connected first major league home run off kansas city s tom gordon on june 12. rodriguez permanently joined major league roster in august , got first taste of postseason play, albeit in 2 at-bats. again, youngest player in major league baseball. during 1995 season, rodriguez played in 48 games, batting .232 5 home runs, 19 rbi, , 4 stolen bases.

1996–1997

the following year, rodriguez took on mariners regular shortstop , led american league (al) .358 batting average, highest al right-handed batter since joe dimaggio hit .381 in 1939 , 3rd highest ever shortstop. had 36 home runs 123 rbis. @ 21 years , 1 month, 3rd youngest al batting leader ever behind al kaline (20) in 1955 , ty cobb (20) in 1907, , 3rd youngest player in history 35+ homers. first major league shortstop win batting title since 1960, , first in al since 1944. @ age 20 years, 11 months, youngest shortstop in all-star game history. led al in runs (141), total bases (379), , doubles (54) , ranked among league leaders in base hits (2nd, 215), base hits (2nd, 91), multi-hit games (3rd, 65), slugging (4th, .631), rbi (8th, 123), , on-base percentage (8th, .414). rodriguez posted highest totals ever shortstop in runs, hits, doubles, base hits, , slugging, , tied total bases, , established seattle club records average, runs, hits, doubles, , total bases, in season statistical analysts consider best ever shortstop.

the sporting news , associated press selected rodriguez major league player of year. finished second juan gonzález in balloting al valuable player (mvp) award. finished 3 points behind gonzález (290–287), matching second closest al mvp voting in history.

in 1997, rodriguez batted .300 23 home runs , 84 rbis. hit cycle on june 5, becoming second mariner, , @ 21 years, 10 months, fifth youngest player in history, accomplish feat. fan s choice start all-star game @ shortstop al team, becoming first player other ripken start @ shortstop in 13 years. first all-star start of career , second all-star game in 2 years.

1998–2000

rodriguez rebounded in 1998, when set al record homers shortstop , became third member of 40–40 club, (with 42 home runs , 46 stolen bases) , 1 of 3 shortstops in history hit 40 home runs in season. 43.9 power-speed number was, through @ least 2008, highest single season power/speed number ever. selected players choice al player of year, won second silver slugger award, , finished ninth in mvp voting.

in 1999, rodriguez had .310 average, 42 home runs, , 111 rbis, despite missing on 30 games injury , playing second half of season @ safeco field, considerably less hitter-friendly ballpark kingdome. @ time, youngest-ever player record 100 home runs , 100 stolen bases, @ 23 years , 309 days of age. in april 2015, mike trout reached same milestone @ 23 years , 253 days old.

rodriguez entered 2000 cornerstone player of mariners franchise, had traded superstars randy johnson , ken griffey jr. rodriguez put great numbers team s remaining superstar, hitting 41 hr 132 rbis , .316 batting average. set career high walks (100) , became shortstop have 100 runs, rbi, , walks in same season. hit in playoffs (.409 batting average , .773 slugging percentage), seattle lost new york yankees in 2000 american league championship series. selected major league player of year baseball america , finished third in al mvp voting.