Alex Rodriguez (Getty)

After 22 years of playing ball, the Yankees announced Sunday that Alex Rodriguez is officially retiring from the game. His last game will take place Friday at Yankee Stadium against the Tampa Bay Rays. After the game, Rodriguez is expected to sign a contract to serve as a special adviser and instructor with the Yankees though 2017, according to the team.

At an emotionally-charged press conference, Rodriguez stated the following:

This is a tough day. I love this game and I love this team. And today I’m saying goodbye to both. This is also a proud day. I was 18 when I broke into the big leagues. I never thought I could play for 22 years. At 18 I just wanted to make a team. I want to thank the Steinbrenner family for giving me this opportunity and for making me part of this team. And for giving me an opportunity to stay involved by mentoring the next generation of Yankees. How I’m grateful to you with the faith you’re showing in me today. No athlete ever ends his or her career the way you want to. We all want to keep playing forever. But it doesn’t work that way. Accepting the end gracefully is part of being a professional athlete. Saying goodbye maybe the hardest part of the job. But that’s what I’m doing today. I want to thank mom, who’s watching at home, and my daughters. Thank you for your support, you’ve been through so much with me. I want to thank my family, my friends, former managers, coaches, teammates, my teammates…and I especially want to thank the fans for letting me play the game that I love.

The news comes after Rodriguez, 41, told ESPN earlier this year that he would be retiring after the 2017 season. The year will mark the end of a 10-year, $275 million contract between Rodriguez and the Yankees. He is expected to instruct and advise the team through 2017, The New York Times reported.

You can read the star athlete’s stats here.