Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Candid docuseries talks infidelity, steroids, mental health.
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Alex vs ARod
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
ALEX vs AROD is a three-part autobiographical docuseries about now-retired Major League Baseball player Alex Rodriguez. The talented, sometimes controversial, baseball player discusses his childhood passion for baseball while growing up in New York, the Dominican Republic, and Miami, and the difficulties he faced when he went straight from high school to the major leagues in 1993 at the age of 18. Rodriguez shares details about the highs and lows of his professional career playing for the Seattle Mariners (during which time he was nicknamed ARod by team announcer Dave Niehaus), The Texas Rangers, and the New York Yankees, including a highly publicized doping scandal. Rodriguez also shares details about his personal life, including his estrangement from his father, his relationships with women, including ex-wife Cynthia Rodriguez Nicolas, and his surprising friendship with journalist Katie Couric. Interviews with the two women, former coaches Lou Piniella and Derek Jeter, and other associates offer perspectives on Rodriguez's athletic career and private challenges.
Is It Any Good?
This informative series features a seemingly genuine Alex Rodriguez as he attempts to separate who he is as a man from the baseball persona for which he's mostly known. Alex vs ARod offers the expected career stories about what it was like growing up, rising to baseball stardom as a young player, his work ethic, and the reasons that drove him to accept contracts from other teams. But Rodriguez also spends much of the series talking about his mistakes, especially when it comes to his steroid use; he publicly admitted to using them while playing for the Texas Rangers 2001-2003 in a 2009 interview, the suspension for which cost him the 2014 MLB season.
Viewers may also be surprised by his candid conversations about his infidelity, and the long-term impact the absence of his father had on his psychological and emotional health as well as his ball playing. Baseball fans will find these narratives interesting, but viewers tuning into Alex vs ARod are looking for salacious details about some of his more high-profile relationships, including his time with Jennifer Lopez (who isn't even mentioned), will be disappointed. Nonetheless, it's a solid sports documentary that feels more honest than promotional.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how hard it is to have a successful professional baseball career. How do baseball players use media to advance their careers and earn money?
What are viewers supposed to think about Alex Rodriguez after watching Alex vs ARod? Do his mistakes minimize his talent and contributions to baseball?
TV Details
- Premiere date : November 7, 2025
- Cast : Alex Rodriguez
- Network : HBO
- Genre : Reality TV
- Topics : Sports ( Baseball )
- Character Strengths : Perseverance , Teamwork
- TV rating :
- Last updated : November 10, 2025
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