41-year-old New York Yankee baseball player Alex Rodriguez has retired after 22 years playing the game.

Alex has recorded 696 home runs just 4 shy of the record, putting him fourth on the Major League Baseball all-time list. "This is a tough day. I love this game and I love this team and today I am saying goodbye to both," Rodriguez said. He thanked his fans,kids, organization and teammates for allowing him to play the game he loves. Alex helped the Yankees win the World Series in 2009 and was voted the American League's Most Valuable Player in 2003, 2005 and 2007.

Alex also said, "This is also a proud day. I was 18 when I broke into the big leagues and I never thought I would play for 22 years. "No player ends their career the way they want to, we all want to keep playing forever but it doesn't work that way. Accepting the end gracefully is part of being a professional athlete. I want to thank the fans for letting me play the game I love."

Rodriguez's final game will be at Yankee Stadium against the Tampa Bay Rays and he will then take on an advisor role at the club.

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