Alex Rodriguez By amacchia Jun 29, 1994 Joined Seattle Baseball Team Jul 5, 1996 American League batting champion and Silver Slugger Shortstop Award Jul 10, 1997 Bought mother a new house. Jul 12, 1998 Team won 76 games, but lost 86. Did not make it to the playoffs that season. Aug 25, 1999 Switched to Yankees Jan 23, 2000 Joined Yankees Team Jul 16, 2002 Made the American League All-Star Team Jul 20, 2003 Ted Williams Award Aelx had won the Ted Williams Award as the major league's top hitter in 2002.