Alex Rodriguez and the New York Yankees announced Sunday that they have agreed his final game will be Friday. After that, he'll be released and will take on a special adviser role with the team.
Some greats go out with a bang, the prime example in 2016 being David Ortiz's farewell tour that has seen the Boston Red Sox slugger leading the American League in slugging percentage and OPS.
A-Rod's 2016, on the other hand, is more of the whimper variety, an injury-marred campaign that saw his line drop to .204/.252/.356 heading into Sunday -- rather dismal numbers for anyone who isn't a shortstop who fields like Andrelton Simmons.
While some people, myself included, have dreamed a triumphant Ortiz will return for another season, his retiring a year too soon rather than a year too late has given Big Papi an opportunity to go out on top -- to end his career on his own terms while he's still the player fans will fondly remember.
