"Should have been Derek Jeter" - Fans react as ultra rare triple card ft. Alex Rodriguez, Mickey Mantle & Joe DeMaggio resurfaces after 17 years

Fans reacted as a baseball card collector showed an extremely rare piece containing the autographs of New York Yankees legends Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle and Alex Rodriguez. There are only three such cards in existence, and it'd the only one to have resurfaced 17 years after it was released.

Fans took the opportunity to bash tainted MLB superstar A-Rod, claiming that his presence alongside hallowed Yankees icons like Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle is underserved. Some feel that Rodriguez's place should have gone to Derek Jeter instead.

The particular item in question is a Topps Co-Signers card released in 2007. Released as Tri-Signers New York Yankees, the piece contains authentic signatures of Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle and Alex Rodriguez. The card also mentions the names of the Yankees superstars and the extent of their service to the ballclub.

However, many fans feel that having the autograph of Rodriguez in the same item with DiMaggio and Mantle brings down the value of the card. Others claimed that A-Rod's signature is not genuine.

"Why A-Rod? Should have been Jeter," one fan commented.

Fan reaction (Image Source: Instagram)

"A-Rod ruins the card," posted another fan.

Fan reaction (Image Source: Instagram)

"Worth more without the A-Fraud autograph," wrote another fan.

Fan reaction (Image Source: Instagram)

The remarks against A-Rod continued from fans.

"That’s not A-Rod's autograph," said one fan.

"Alex auto ruins the card," another fan posted.

"Whoever let Alex sign that card should never be allowed to have autographed baseball cards," one fan declared.

Even years after he has retired, A-Rod clearly remains a divisive figure among baseball fans.

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Tarnished reputation of Alex Rodriguez

The PED allegations have denied Alex Rodriguez entry to the Hall of Fame. (Image Source: Imagn)

There's no doubt that Alex Rodriguez is among the most talented baseball players the game has ever seen. He's a 14-time All-Star and a three-time MVP in the American League. A-Rod is the only player to post more than 3000 hits, 2000 RBIs, 2000 runs scored, 300 stolen bases and 600 home runs.

However, Rodriguez has tarnished his reputation with multiple transgressions related to PED use.

In 2007, Alex Rodriguez was involved in the BALCO scandal after former MVP Jose Canseco had accused him of using steroids in his controversial book, Juiced: Wild Times, Rampant 'Roids, Smash Hits & How Baseball Got Big. Two years later, it was reported that Rodriguez had tested positive for steroids in 2003, although it wasn't a punishable act in the MLB at the time.

A-Rod later admitted to using steroids from 2001 to 2003. He also missed the entire 2014 season after receiving a 211-game suspension for violating PED regulations in the Biogenesis scandal involving an anti-aging clinic from Florida.