THIS DAY IN BEÍSBOL February 16: A-Rod traded to the Yankees

The New York Yankees added to their all-star, big-money lineup when they traded for all-world superstar Alex Rodriguez on this day in beísbol, February 16, 2004.

“A-Rod” was already a controversial lightning rod as the player everyone loved to hate when the Bombers shipped a good young hitter, Alfonso Soriano, to the Texas Rangers in 2004 in exchange for Rodriguez, who was coming off his first MVP season in 2003.

Only 28 but already a ten-year vet, Rodriguez — a two-time Gold Glover and five-time Silver Slugger at shortstop with the Seattle Mariners and the Rangers — shifted over to third base in New York with future Hall of Famer Derek Jeter entrenched at short.

Rodriguez, the highest-paid player in the game at the time — Texas was desperate to get out from his $252 million contract — would go on to win two more AL MVP awards and a World Series in 2009 with the Yankees in what was undoubtedly a Cooperstown-bound career.

But he’d be just as famous for two PED scandals that have so far kept him out of the Hall Fame despite 696 home runs (fifth all-time) and a slew of hitting achievements.

Soriano, also 28, was a two-time 30-30 club member with New York and slammed 412 homers over a 16-year career.