One of baseball's top all-around talents, he completed his first season with the Texas Rangers in 2001 after spending his first seven years with the Seattle Mariners. Alex is destined to go down as one of the greatest hitting shortstops in baseball history.
In 2001, he belted 52 home runs - the most ever by a major-league shortstop - and drove in a career-high 135 runs. His 133 runs scored led all American Leaguers, and Alex finished third in RBI, fourth in hits (201) and seventh in batting average (.318).
As great as Alex is with a bat in his hands, he's also an incomparable fielder with tremendous range. He made just 18 errors in 2001 after committing only 10 miscues the previous season. Alex has great agility around the bag and a powerful, yet accurate arm.
With other great shortstops like Derek Jeter and Nomar Garciaparra playing in the very same league, baseball fans should be having the "Who's Best" debate for years to come. His fellow players named him "best" on three occasions - A-Rod was voted Outstanding AL Player at the Players Choice Awards in 1996, 1998 and 2001.
Alex was born in New York City, but raised in Miami. He was drafted first overall in 1993 and made his major-league debut a year later at age 18. Alex enjoys working with kids and is actively involved in the Boys & Girls Clubs.
--BigLeaguers.com
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