Here's one photo for each year of Alex Rodriguez's MLB career
On Sunday morning, Alex Rodriguezannounced that Friday's game against the Rays will be his final game with the Yankees, after which he'll retire and become a special instructor and advisor for the team. A-Rod made his MLB debut in 1994, which means he's spent 22 years in the big leagues. Some are looking back at his time in The Show by the numbers, or through the eyes of his peers. Prefer the visual? Here's one photo for each year of his career.
1994 - The No.1 Draft pick of 1993, A-Rod makes his debut with the Mariners when he's just 18.
1995 - A-Rod comforts teammate Joey Cora after the Mariners lose the ALCS to the Indians
1996 - In his first full season in the big leagues, A-Rod is selected to his first All-Star Game, along with Dan Wilson, Jay Buhner, and Edgar Martinez. Ken Griffey Jr. was voted in by fans, but didn't play, due to an injury.
1997 - Just casually signing some autographs.
1998 - A-Rod makes his first Home Run Derby appearance. He's eliminated after hitting five home runs in the first round.
1999 - Just spending some quality time with his teammates.
2000 - Here he is celebrating that year's ALDS Game 3 win over the White Sox with Martinez.
2001 - Texas gets excited for A-Rod's first season with the Rangers.
2002 - A-Rod leads the league in home runs this year, with 57, which was a career high.
2003 - He contemplates his broken bat, which was perhaps too weak to withstand his .600 slugging percentage.
2004 - A-Rod puts on the pinstripes for the first time.
2005 - Time for trust falls with his new teammate.
2006 - A-Rod spends a little time with Ichiro at the All-Star Game.
2007 - David Ortiz must have just told him the world's funniest joke.
2008 - A preview of the DadRod yet to come.
2009 - A-Rod celebrates the Yankees' World Series win with Mariano Rivera.
2010 - He and Derek Jeter consider welcoming a presidential friend into their squad.
2011 - A-Rod and Robinson Canó are probably mad they have to do laundry again.
2012 - Just lookin' good and multitaskin'
2013 - A-Rod takes some time for snacking while rehabbing an injury with the Charleston RiverDogs.
2015 - He watches a home run go out … and it just so happens to be his 3,000th hit.
2016 - A-Rod celebrates.
… OK, we know we told you there would only be one picture for each year of his career, but we couldn't resist. Think of this last photo as a hidden track at the end of an album. We thought it was particularly fitting, since A-Rod intends to mentor young players in this next phase of his career.
1993 - 17-year-old A-Rod gives advice to a young player during practice for the U.S. Olympic Festival Competition.