The largest contract in MLB history at the time was signed by Mike Hampton ($121 million for 8 years) while Kevin Garnett owned the the largest contract in sports history ($126 million for six years).
Tom Hicks, the Ranger’s owner at that time, said:
They acquired A-Rod, hoping that he will help them chase their dream of becoming a World Series champion.
Alex Rodriguez held up his end of the contract
During his tenure with the Rangers, Alex Rodriguez bagged two Gold Gloves and three Silver Sluggers, attended three All-Star games and won the 2003 Most Valuable Player award.
Other teams that displayed interest in signing Rodriguez for that season included the Atlanta Braves, Chicago White Sox, Colorado Rockies, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets and the Mariners. But nobody was anywhere near the Rangers when it came to offering a financial deal. It was a no-brainer why Rodriguez went for the Rangers.
However, A-Rod didn’t play for the Rangers for too long. He only lasted in the Rangers for three seasons before Melvin’s successor, John Hart, traded him to the New York Yankees in February 2004 in the return of Alfonso Soriano.
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