Alex Rodriguez's next home run will give the Yankees a huge legal headache

Alex Rodriguez mashed his 659th career home run Sunday, putting him one behind Willie Mays on the all-time dinger list. And though the home run helped the Yankees eke out a win, the team's front office may wish A-Rod kept the ball in the park.

That's because Rodriguez's contract includes a series of $6 million bonuses for various home run milestones, the first of which kicks in when Rodriguez ties Mays at 660. The Yankees are reportedly eyeing legal action to deny A-Rod those bonuses, which would be petty for any organization, but especially so for one with the deepest pockets in baseball.

Considering how well he's swung the bat in the season's first month, Rodriguez should tie Mays in short order. No one came out of last year's litigation between A-Rod and the Yankees looking good, and there's no reason to expect a different outcome from the looming legal fight either.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up