英语名人堂：阿莱克斯·罗德里格兹（在线收听）

阿莱克斯·罗德里格兹(英文名：Alex Rodriguez）多米尼加裔美国棒球明星，绰号为“A-Rod”。现效力于美国职棒大联盟的纽约扬基队，担任三垒手。先前曾在西雅图水手队和德克萨斯游骑兵队效力，担任游击手。

Alexander Rodriguez, a.k.a. A-Rod, is one of the world’s greatest baseball players. He plays for the New York Yankees, after starting his career with Seattle and Texas. He holds a long list of baseball records. He is the youngest player ever to hit 500 home runs. He will get $30 million if he breaks the all-time home run record of 762.

Rodriguez was born in 1975 in New York City to Dominican parents. He loved baseball when he was growing up and was a star player at school. He was the USA Baseball Junior Player of the Year and the Gatorade national baseball student athlete of the year. In 1993, Alex was the first ever high school player to try out for Team USA.

Rodriguez was signed by the Seattle Mariners. He made his major league debut aged 18, becoming the youngest position player in Seattle history. He quickly set many Seattle club records and in 1996 was the Major League Player of the Year. In 2000, he signed with the Texas Rangers in what was the most lucrative contract in sports history.

Rodriguez joined the New York Yankees in 2004. In 2007, he became the first player in history to have at least 35 home runs, 100 runs, and 100 RBI in 10 consecutive seasons. His success has brought criticism from the press. He told a magazine: "When people write about me, I don't know if it's because I'm good-looking [or] I make the most money.”