<P> In the 2004 ALDS, Rodriguez was a dominant hitter against the Minnesota Twins, batting . 421 and slugging . 737 while delivering two key extra-inning hits . Following the series win, Rodriguez's first season with the Yankees culminated in a dramatic playoff series against the team he had almost ended up playing for: the Yankees' bitter rival, the Boston Red Sox . In that series (ALCS) he equaled the single - game post-season record with five runs scored in Game 3 at Boston . </P> <P> One of the most controversial plays of Rodriguez's career occurred late in Game 6 of the 2004 American League Championship Series . With one out and Derek Jeter on first base in the bottom of the eighth inning, Rodriguez hit a slow roller between the pitcher's mound and the first base line . Red Sox pitcher Bronson Arroyo fielded the ball and ran towards Rodriguez to apply a tag . As Arroyo reached towards him, Rodriguez swatted at his glove, knocking the ball loose . As the ball rolled away, Jeter scored all the way from first as Rodriguez took second on the play, which was initially ruled an error on Arroyo . However, the umpires quickly huddled, then ruled that Rodriguez was out for interference . Jeter was sent back to first base, and his run was nullified . The Yankees would then lose the ALCS to the eventual World Series champion Red Sox after leading the series 3 games to none . </P> <P> In 2005, Rodriguez hit . 321, leading the American League with 124 runs and 48 HR while driving in 130 runs . He became the first Yankee to win the American League home run title since Reggie Jackson (41) in 1980 . He also became one of only two players in Major League history to compile at least 35 home runs, 100 runs and 100 RBIs in eight consecutive seasons (Jimmie Foxx accomplished the feat in nine straight seasons from 1932 to 1940). Rodriguez established the franchise record for most home runs in a single season by a right - handed batter (broke Joe DiMaggio's mark of 46 in 1937). His 47 HR from the third base position are a single - season American League record . Rodriguez hit 26 home runs at Yankee Stadium in 2005, establishing the single - season club record for right - handed batters (previously held by DiMaggio in 1937 and Gary Sheffield in 2004). On June 8, at 29 years, 316 days old, he became the youngest player in MLB history to reach the 400 HR mark . 2005 also marked the tenth straight season that Rodriguez scored at least 100 runs . On defense, however, he had the lowest range factor in the league at third for the second straight season (2.62). </P> <P> On April 26, Rodriguez hit three home runs off Angels' pitcher Bartolo Colón and drove in 10 runs . The 10 RBIs were the most by a Yankee since Tony Lazzeri established the franchise and American League record with 11 on May 24, 1936 . Rodriguez became the 11th major leaguer to accomplish the feat . Rodriguez won his second AL MVP Award in three seasons . </P>

Alex rodriguez most home runs in a season