Alex Rodriguez is set to call it a career, but one MLB legend doesn't want to see him end up in Cooperstown.
The Yankees and A-Rod held a press conference on Sunday where it was reavealed he will be released by the Yankees after Friday's game to take on an advisor role for the club through 2017 when his contract expires.
Kenny Lofton, who has had his own struggles getting into the Hall of Fame, blasted Rodriguez and said there's no way he should be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
"Without a doubt, he shouldn't be in the Hall of Fame at all," Lofton told TMZ Sports. "[They'd be] cheating guys like Dave Windfield, Eddie Murray, Paul Molitor, they did the game the right way, you can't put a cheater in there. Once you put one, you gotta put all of them in there."
Rodriguez, 41, has a lifetime batting average of .295 and has collected 3,113 hits, 696 homers and 2,084 RBIs through 2,781 games over his 22-year career. His stops included stints with the Mariners, Rangers and Yankees.
Among his many accolades, Rodriguez is a one-time World Series champion, three-time American League MVP, 14-time All-Star, 10-time Silver Slugger Award winner, two-time Gold Glove Award winner and a five-time AL home run leader.
Despite his impressive feats, Rodriguez has been linked to steroids and PEDs throughout his career. His scandals included a one-year ban from baseball in the 2014 season.
Lofton, 49, said he hopes to one day get inducted into the Hall of Fame himself and lamented having to go up against guys who were cheating hroughout his career.
"I had to play against and compete against guys that were juciing," Lofton said. "So, that's the tough part. I hate when they pump guys up who have been juicing. You let one in, you have to let all of them in and then the whole Hall of Fame is tainted."
Lofton hit .296 with 2,428 hits and 622 stolen bases in his illustrious career, where he made six All-Star Game appearances and won four Gold Glove Awards.
The Yankees announced on Sunday that Rodriguez will receive the roughly $7 million he's owed this season and the $17 million he's owed next year stemming from the 10-year, $275 million contract he signed in 2007.
New York will release Rodriguez from as a player after Friday's game against the Rays at Yankee Stadium and he will start the advisor role right away.
"This is a tough day," Rodriguez said Sunday at his press conference, according to USA Today Sports. "I love this game, and I love this team. And today, I'm saying goodbye to both."
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