The Yankees have 22 numbers retired, but Alex Rodriguez wants the team to make it 23.
The former third baseman for the Yankees was a guest on WFAN’s Evan and Tiki on Thursday where he spoke about a number of topics. Rodriguez, who is a TV analyst for FOX, was asked how he felt when the Yankees issued Joey Gallo No. 13 in 2021.
“It did not make me happy,” Rodriguez answered with a laugh.
Rodriguez said he has a good relationship with Hal Steinbrenner and the organization but believes his job at FOX may get in the way of his number joining Monument Park in the near future as he doesn’t “sugarcoat” his assessment of the team.
“I’m too critical to the Yankees, and that doesn’t help my case,” Rodriguez explained. “But I get paid to tell the truth…I want my number retired. If it’s not retired, so be it.
“Yeah, of course it bothers me. It’s less about bother, but of course it would be nice to be recognized in one of the coolest places to be in Yankee history, but that’s not my decision.”
Rodriguez spent the final 12 seasons (2004-2016) of his 22 year-career in pinstripes and was one of the best players in baseball in that time period. In his tenure with the Yankees, Rodriguez hit .283 with a .378 OBP and .523 slugging. He also hit 351 home runs and 1096 RBI.
He made seven All-Star games and was a two-time MVP (2005, 2007) with the Yankees. Of course, he was also a big part of the 2009 World Series championship team.
That team was not only the last time the Yankees won a title, but was their last appearance in the Fall Classic.
When asked if he believes the longer the Yankees go without a championship, the chances of his number being retired go up, Rodriguez was receptive but in the end wants his former team to make it back to the promised land.
“I could buy that theory, but I don’t want that to happen,” Rodriguez said. “I want them to win. I want them to turn things around.”