We often see the polished side of public figures — the deals, the acumen, the highlight reels. But every now and then, a simple, unguarded message pulls back the curtain and reveals the person behind the persona. That was the case when baseball Hall-of-Famer Alex Rodriguez posted a birthday wish for his daughter. And he reminded all that behind the superstar exterior beats the heart of a truly proud dad. And it’s a side of A-Rod fans obviously love seeing.
Take a peek into A-Rod’s personal life. Alex is the proud father of two daughters: Natasha Alexander, 20, and Ella, who recently turned 17. He shares the girls with his ex-wife, Cynthia Scurtis, with whom he was married from 2002 to 2008. Though breakups can be hard, Alex and Cynthia have created a uniquely positive co-parenting relationship over the years. They often team up, along with Cynthia’s husband, Angel Nicolas, for holidays and events, creating a supportive blended family vibe where both daughters feel doubly loved. And the latest update is no different.
That heartwarming moment came yesterday, April 21st, celebrating his younger daughter, Ella Alexander’s 17th birthday. The former MLB slugger took to Instagram, sharing a sweet carousel of photos capturing Ella’s journey from childhood right up to her teens. Alongside the pictures, A-Rod wrote a heartfelt message to his daughter: “Happy Birthday to my beautiful daughter Ella. You bring so much light to my life, and I am so proud of you in every way!”. The post perfectly captured a father bursting with love for his girl.
This recent birthday message is merely one note in a symphony of paternal affection A-Rod regularly shares. For Ella’s 13th birthday, he shared an emotional tribute, calling her “smart, mature, talented, caring, and funny.” For Natasha’s high school graduation, he said he got choked up writing a letter, expressing his admiration: “As your father, I’m supposed to be your role model. But for the last 18 years, you’ve been mine.” He even embraced full “teenager’s dad” mode, taking Ella to an Olivia Rodrigo concert, just thrilled to see his daughter having “the time of her life.”
Clearly, the surprises and support go both ways in the Rodriguez household. Alex staged a sweet airport reunion, hiding with Ella beneath a sign that read “welcome home”. And surprising Natasha with flowers when she returned from college for the holidays, captioning it “both my girls home ”. The daughters flipped the script during a Minnesota Timberwolves game (A-Rod is a co-owner), coordinating a surprise visit that left their dad speechless before a warm hug. And the pride was palpable when Natasha sang the National Anthem at a Miami Heat game, with Alex gushing, “Wow! I will never forget last night.” And while he did leave his mark on the field, his biggest accomplishment may well be something else.
Beyond the diamond: A-Rod’s most meaningful home run
Needless to say, this fulfilling family life was paired with one of the most iconic, demanding, and statistically incredible careers in baseball history. From his debut with the Seattle Mariners as a teenager to signing his then-record $252 million contract with the Texas Rangers. And winning his first MVP, A-Rod has always had talent that was undeniable. He was a flashing glimpse of headlines and highlights, setting the stage for superstardom.
That superstardom arguably reached its zenith after he was traded to the New York Yankees. In pinstripes, he added two more MVP awards, famously helped propel the team to a World Series title in 2009. And ascended through baseball’s all-time lists with eye-popping numbers: 696 home runs and 2,086 RBIs. His legacy remains complex, marked by admitted PED use and a lengthy suspension, but his on-field accomplishments remain monumental.
After hanging up his cleats in 2016, A-Rod didn’t exactly ride off into the sunset. He smoothly moved into broadcasting and became a sharp and respected MLB analyst for the big networks, including FOX Sports and ESPN. At the same time, his business empire, A-Rod Corp, continued to grow, with investments in real estate, tech, wellness, and sports. He co-owned the NBA’s Minnesota Timberwolves and WNBA’s Lynx. Fans even catch him offering business insights as a guest judge on Shark Tank! In addition to those ventures, he is still deeply involved in philanthropy. Who doesn’t know about his longtime work with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America?
Alex Rodriguez’s journey continues, from crushing grand slams beneath stadium lights to sharing hushed moments and birthday greetings online. Though his baseball accomplishments are indelibly etched in the record books, and his post-career ventures keep him busy, his heartfelt messages and actions paint a clear picture of his current priorities. As he himself has stated, his daughters are his “#1 focus.”
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