The Bronx Bombers Need Alex Rodriguez, and the Fans Should Know It

The Year is 2003, and the Yankees are fresh off a World Series loss to the upstart Florida Marlins. Nothing could have made a Yankee fan feel better about what had transpired.

When news broke during the offseason that the Yankees had lost their new third baseman—and Postseason hero, Aaron Boone, when he had torn a ligament in his knee doing something that he most certainly have not: Playing a game of pick up basketball.

What this did was open up the opportunity for one of the most important trades in the recent history of the Yankees. The Yankees sent young star second baseman Alfonso Soriano, and a Player To Be Named Later (Joaquin Arias).

Now, as you all should know, Rodriguez was a shortstop; and a damn good one at that with two consecutive Gold Glove awards. In what could be considered an act of respect, he moved from shortstop to third base to keep the team captain, and superstar Derek Jeter at short.

What has he done since then? Just win two MVP awards, both in spectacular fashion. 

2005: .321/.421/.610, an OPS of 1.031. With the 'dumb' stats of 48 dingers and 130 RBI, truly anyone can appreciate this line. 

2007: .314/.422/.645 with 54 HR and 156 RBI.

Some may say 'What about the years in between!!!!'

Oh the horror of 35 homers, 100 RBI, and a minimum of a .286 average. As a Yankee, he's never had an OBP lower than .375, a SLG % .512—and those were both in his first year as a Yankee, when he was learning a new position, and adapting to life in the Big Apple. 

Now that the Yankees lived without A-Rod (and have been losing), I don't want to hear any more complaining about his presence. He extends the lineup, and is one of the most feared hitters in all of baseball. His return to the lineup was felt immediately: A homer in his first at-bat. Welcome back A-Rod.