Alex Rodriguez, the most controversial baseball player of his generation, has announced that he will retire after the 2017 season, when his massive contract with the New York Yankees expires.
“I won't play after next year,” Rodriguez, 40, told ESPN today. “I've really enjoyed my time. For me, it is time for me to go home and be dad.”
Rodriguez, who has admitted to using steroids in the past, returned to the plate last season after he was suspended for the entirety of 2014 for his alleged role in the Biogenesis scandal. He started off the 2015 season hot, eventually finishing with 33 home runs and 86 RBIs.
A-Rod is set to earn $40 million over his final two seasons, notes The New York Post. The 10-year, $275 million contract he signed with the Yankees will be up after the 2017 season. He turns 41 in July.
Over his 20-year career, Rodriguez has racked up 287 home runs, fourth all time, and 3,070 hits. He started his career with the Seattle Mariners in 1994, then played with the Texas Rangers from 2001 to 2003. He joined the Yankees in 2004 and won the 2009 World Series with the team.