Alex Rodriguez is a professional athlete in Major League Baseball. He is the current third baseman for the New York Yankees and currently the highest paid player in MLB history.New York Yankees: New York Yankees Official Site

Rodriguez has been spotted with Kate Hudson on several occasions in May of 2009, sparking rumor that they may be a couple. According to a Page Six source, the pair were in the back room at the Mustang Grill in NYC on May 15th where they were said to have "made out."HollyScoop: Kate Hudson and A-Rod? (May 19, 2009)

Rodriguez made his season debut with the Yankees on May 8, 2009, after missing time following hip surgery. At his first attempt at bat, Rodriguez hit a homerun.ESPN.com: A-Rod returns with Yanks stuck in slide

The book A-Rod, written by Sports Illustrated journalist Selena Roberts and scheduled for release on May 12, 2009, claims that Rodriguez used steroids as early as high school and did not stop using them when he came to the New York Yankees. Rodriguez declined to comment on the claims.ESPN.com: A-Rod Won't Discuss Latest on Book

Rodriguez filed suit against Ryan Investments after claims that they never returned his $1 million deposit on a $15 million home that he had planned to purchase in November of 2007. Ryan Investments were said to have not closed the deal for the purchase of the home on time.TMZ: A-Rod Claims Someone Cheated Him for a Change (March 19, 2009)

On February 7, 2009, Sports Illustrated reported that Alex Rodriguez tested positive for steroids in 2003 while playing for the Texas Rangers. In a February 9, 2009, interview with ESPN, Rodriguez admitted using a banned substance, adding "I'm very sorry and deeply regretful."ESPN.com: A-Rod Admits, Regrets Use of PEDs Rodriguez held a press conference on February 17, 2009, providing specific details of his steroid use. He admitted to using a steroid called "Boli" which had been smuggled into the United States from the Dominican Republic, but claims he didn't know it was an illegal substance.#ESPN.com: A-Rod answers questions, raises more (February 17, 2009

In 2003, he won the American League Most Valuable Player award and had led the American League in home runs for the third straight year. Rodriguez reportedly tested positive for two anabolic steroids that same year. His name appeared on a list of 104 players that tested positive for using steroids. The list was part of a MLB survey testing conducted by the league. The news was not previously released because of an agreement with the MLB players association and Major League Baseball.SI.com: Alex Rodriguez tested positive for steroids in 2003 (February 7, 2009)

Rodriguez attended a two-hour meeting with Major League Baseball investigators in Tampa, Florida, on March 1, 2009. Officials stated that Rodriguez was cooperative, but did not elaborate on what was discussed.ESPN.com: MLB Says Rodriguez was Cooperative The purpose of the meeting was allegedly to discuss Rodriguez's admitted steroid use between the years of 2001 to 2003. He was reportedly asked if he used substances beyond the admitted years and if he was involved with providing steroids to other players. ESPN.com: Source: A-Rod to talk to MLB Officials (February 27, 2009)

As reported July 6, 2008, Rodriguez's six-year marriage to Cynthia Rodriguez was near an end. Cynthia Rodriguez's lawyer announced that she would file for divorce, due to a "long period of infidelity on the part or Mr. Rodriguez."ABC13: A-Rod's wife to file for divorce Rodriguez had been rumored in recent weeks to be involved in a relationship with pop singer Madonna, a development the lawyer called, "the final straw."ABC13: A-Rod's wife to file for divorce

On March 22, 2009, The New York Daily News printed a report claiming Rodriguez had a personal and professional relationship with Kristin Billie Davis, the madam involved in the Eliot Spitzer prostitute scandal. Davis claims that she dated Rodriguez and provided him with paid call girls.New York Daily News: Madam Kristin Davis Dated... Provided Him Hookers...

According to Access Hollywood, Cynthia Rodriguez sent an email to the show stating her soon-to-be ex-husband did not want to see their children over the Thanksgiving holiday. FOX News also reported that Alex Rodriguez would instead be spending time in New York City, with Madonna and her children.FOX News: Cynthia Rodriguez: 'Soul-less' A-Rod Ditching Kids for Madonna on Thanksgiving (November 25, 2008)

On November 25, 2008, Rodriguez was spotted out having dinner with his ex-wife and kids. A friend of his ex-wife also revealed that he would in fact be spending Thanksgiving with his his children and not Madonna's family.PerezHilton.com: A-Rod Chooses His Kids (November 26, 2008)

The number one pick overall in the 1993 draft, Rodriguez began his career with the Seattle Mariners in the strike-shortened 1994 season at the age of 18. He didn't play in his first full season until 1996, when he finished a close second in Most Valuable Player Award balloting to Juan Gonzalez. In 2000, Rodriguez became a free agent and signed then the most expensive contract in baseball history, a 10-year, $252 million deal which sent him to the Texas Rangers. In 2003, Rodriguez won the AL MVP Award, but the next year the Rangers traded him to the New York Yankees for outfielder Alfonso Soriano. In 2005, Rodriguez again won the AL MVP Award.

Despite Rodriguez's achievements, many sportswriters and fans believe that the superstar does not perform well in clutch situations or in the postseason, and that he is a disruptive force in clubhouses because of what many perceive to be his large ego.MSNBC: Boss's criticism of A-Rod is long overdue (May 11, 2006)

On December 5, 2008, Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz revealed to Yahoo! Sports that Rodriguez would represent the Dominican Republic in the 2009 World Baseball Classic. In 2006, Rodriguez played for the team from the United States. Rodriguez was born in New York City. But his parents were born in the Dominican Republic, which makes him eligible to play for either team.ESPN.com: Ortiz: A-Rod to play for D.R. in WBC] (December 5, 2008)

On January 25, 2009, news agencies reported that former Yankees manager Joe Torre made some surprising revelations in his book The Yankee Years. Among the shocking revelations in the book, Torre disclosed that third baseman Alex Rodriguez was obsessed over his rivalry with Derek Jeter and that teammates often referred to Rodriguez as "A-Fraud."ESPN.com: Reports: Torre bitter in tell-all book (January 25, 2009)

On January 27, 2009, sources close to Alex Rodriguez revealed that he was not bothered by critical comments made by Joe Torre in his upcoming book, The Yankee Years. A source who wished to remain anonymous stated, "He laughed at the stuff because he is so beyond all of that. Personally, he feels like he's in a great space in his life and felt very comfortable last year in the clubhouse and with his relationship with his teammates." MLB.com: Torre's comments don't bother A-Rod (January 27, 2009)

If he remains healthy, Rodriguez is expected by many experts to break the all-time career home run record currently held by Barry Bonds. He is the youngest player in baseball history to ever hit surpass the 500 home run mark, doing it at the age of 31.

On September 18, 2008, it was reported that Rodriguez had settled his divorce with Cynthia Rodriguez. Terms were not disclosed and the split was considered amicable.ESPN.com: A-Rod, wife reach amicable settlement

On November 26, 2008, Madonna and Rodriguez appeared as together in public for the first time. Rodriguez attended Madonna's concert in Miami, when Rodriguez gave Madonna a bottle of water after her second song.E! Online: A-Rod Madonna make beautiful music together (November 26, 2008)