Alex Rodriguez motivates Harlem youth with heartfelt message & surprises ahead of Christmas

Christmas is the season for giving, and MLB icon Alex Rodriguez exemplified his generous side by surprising shoppers at a Target mall in Harlem, New York. The former New York Yankees superstar handed out gifts to young kids from the local neighborhood as he shared an inspiring message with them regarding the importance of hard work and self-belief.

He added some clips from the occasion on social media in the form of a reel on Instagram.

Alex Rodriguez was born to Dominican parents in Washington Heights, Manhattan, and had a humble beginning before achieving superstardom in the MLB. He was the top-rated high school prospect in the country before becoming the No. 1 pick of the 1993 MLB Draft. Rodriguez later signed a 10-year, $252 million contract as a free agent, which was the most lucrative deal in sports at the time.

On Saturday, Alex Rodriguez shared a personal, inspiring message before handing out gift vouchers to young kids at the shopping mall in Harlem.

"I come from a very, very poor background," he said. "I come from a single mother, and she had two jobs. I was 12 years old, and we were in a place like Target. We couldn't afford the food. And I made a promise to myself: those two b's are going to be my way out of this neighborhood: business and baseball. I kept visualizing that.

"So, when you get home, I want you to think about when you're 40, 50 years old, and you pick out all the things you want," he continued. "You think about this list when you go to sleep, and then you work backwards. And you say, "How does this decision today impact my dreams?""

By the end of his playing career, Alex Rodriguez had accumulated 696 home runs with over 3000 base hits and 300 stolen bases. He was named American League MVP on three occasions and has 10 Silver Slugger awards, besides holding the all-time record for grand slams.

Alex Rodriguez part of failed bid to land majority stake in Minnesota Timberwolves

Alex Rodriguez is pursuing a wide range of business interests post-retirement besides workiing as an analyst for FOX Sports (Image Source: Imagn)

Following his retirement from baseball, Alex Rodriguez has been an active businessman, dabbling in a wide range of ventures. He is the founder, president, and chief executive officer of ARod Corporation. He is also the CEO of Presidente beer, a pilsner brand from the Dominican Republic.

At the same time, Rodriguez also has ownership shares in the Minnesota Timberwolves basketball team and was part of a failed bid to gain a controlling stake in the team. The 14-time All-Star has credited NBA legend Magic Johnson for shaping his business career as a friend and mentor.