When he was a child, Alex Rodriguez of the Texas Rangers idolized Cal Ripken Jr., the legendary shortstop of the Baltimore Orioles. In December of 2000, Rodriguez signed a 10-year contract worth $252 million. During his first season with the Rangers he hit 52 home runs. It was his fourth year in succession with more than 40 runs in a season. As Ripken's career came to an end in the fall of 2001, Rodriguez was heralded as the greatest bet to replace his hero as the best all-around shortstop in baseball.

Growing up

Best friend

Alexander Emmanual Rodriguez was born July 27, 1975, in New York City. His parents moved to the Dominican Republic when he was four years old. Rodriguez's father, Victor, played catcher in professional baseball in the Dominican Republic during the 1970s.

Rodriguez and his family moved to Miami, Florida, when he was in fifth grade, and soon after the move, his...