The New York Yankees announced Sunday that Alex Rodriguez will play his final game Friday, then assume a position as a special adviser and instructor with the team.
Following Friday's game, Rodriguez will be unconditionally released by the Yankees from his player contract in order to sign a contract to serve in his new role with the organization through Dec. 31, 2017.
Rodriguez, 41, has won three MVPs and has made 14 All-Star teams during his 19 full seasons in the big leagues. He is fourth on the all-time home run list with 696, trailing leader Barry Bonds (762) by 66.
"This is a tough day. I love this game and I love this team,'' Rodriguez said, often choking up during Sunday's news conference. "And today I'm saying goodbye.''
The Yankees, who are pushing to play younger players, are contractually obligated to pay Rodriguez the remainder of his $21 million salary for this season and the $21 million he is owed for 2017, the final season of a 10-year, $275 million contract that was the baseball's largest when he signed it.
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