Feature photo courtesy of Keith Allison.

Alex Rodriguez was left off the AL All-Star Roster this season. Nobody else in the MLB has brought quite the same authority to a lineup since Barry Bonds. I get it, A-Rod is not well liked. I understand, A-Rod lied over and over again about whether he took performance-enhancing drugs, despite finally admitting he cheated. I agree, A-Rod has had far from a perfect image in the media. However, you cannot deny his presence in the New York Yankee lineup.

Take a minute to forget Rodriguez’ stats. Alex Rodriguez turns 40 years old this month, and he is coming off missing an entire season due to suspension. He has not been 100 percent healthy in years due to plagued hip injuries. Yet, steroid free, Rodriguez is still a feared hitter in the Yankee lineup and makes everyone else in the lineup better. Take Mark Teixeira: in the first 10 seasons of his career, Tex hit 338 home runs in a span from 2003-2012, averaging 34 home runs per season. In 2013 and 2014, Tex hit 25 total home runs while missing nearly all of 2013 and in 2014 he struggled without Rodriguez in the lineup. When Alex Rodriguez returned to his natural form, Tex has hit 20 home runs (fifth in AL) and 69 runs batted in (first in AL). The Yankees are currently tied for second place in the American League in runs scored, behind only the Toronto Blue Jays. Last season, the Yankees were ranked 13th out of 15 teams.

Now, here are Alex Rodriguez’ stats: 16 home runs, 47 RBIs, .284 batting average, .390 on-base percentage, and .513 slugging percentage. His on-base percentage is sixth among batters in the American League, while having the 25th highest batting average. What this means: pitchers have to be careful around Rodriguez and therefore he is drawing walks, which means more opportunities for the rest of the lineup to drive in runs. By the way, he has 44 walks, tied for fourth most in the league. Rodriguez has the 11th highest slugging percentage, 16th most RBIs, and 13th most home runs. On July 25, Alex Rodriguez turns 40 years old.

This year, Alex Rodriguez has been nothing short of humble. He has not given the media any bad quotes and has constantly put the team first. Never in his career has he ever put the team first so overtly, while staying out of the limelight. This season, the New York Yankees have had inconsistent pitching, while battling numerous injuries to both their lineup and pitching staff; clearly carried by the team’s hitting lead by A-Rod. However, if the playoffs were to start on July 6, the Yankees would have won the American League East with a 44-38 record. With television ratings at a high for Derek Jeter’s farewell tour in 2014, the numbers have only slightly dipped because of their recent success.

Alex Rodriguez missed not only the initial All-Star Roster, but he missed the Final Vote to make the last spot. He has had just as good of a season as anyone else left on the final vote, but Royals head coach Ned Yost left Rodriguez behind. Xander Bogaerts, Yoenis Cespedes, Brian Dozier, Brett Gardner, and Mike Moustakas are the players who fans can vote for to make the last roster spot. Unless there are a few injuries to the current All-Star roster, Rodriguez will be left off.