New York Yankees Alex Rodriguez Announces He’s Retiring

Alex Rodriguez #13 of the New York Yankees at bat against the Boston Red Sox during the game on September 13, 2012 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images

Alex Rodriguez announced he will retire after the 2017 season.

The New York Yankees designated hitter shared the news during an interview with ESPN on March 23. His spokesman, Ron Berkowitz, confirmed Rodriguez’s announcement.

The slugger said he will step off the field for good after his 10-year, $275 million contract with the Yankees ends in 2017.

Berkowitz said, “at the end of the contract he’s going to be 42 years old, but we still have (324) games to go until we get to this point.”

Alex Rodriguez #13 of the New York Yankees in action against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on May 19, 2015 in Washington, DC. Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images

Alex Rodriguez (R)Mike Stobe/Getty Images

According to ESPN, by the end of the 2017 season, the slugger will have made $420 million in career on-field earnings, making him the first professional athlete to surpass the $400 million mark.  

Alex Rodriguez, known to fans as A-Rod, was selected as the first overall pick in the 1993 Draft by the Mariners. He debuted in July 8, 1994, and is a 14-time All-Star and three-time American League Most Valuable Player Award winner.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.