⚾Alex vs A-Rod (2025) — HBO’s Three-Part Documentary Explores a Tale of Two Baseball Legends | Release Date, Story & Where to Watch

Premiere Date: November 6, 2025

Streaming On: HBO Max

Episodes: 3-Part Documentary

Directed by: Gotham Chopra & Erik LeDrew

🧢 “There’s A-Rod, and there’s Alex.”

This simple line captures the haunting truth behind HBO’s gripping new documentary series ALEX VS AROD, premiering November 6 at 9 PM on HBO and HBO Max. From the dazzling stadium lights to the darkest corners of controversy, the series dives deep into the split identity of one of baseball’s most electrifying — and polarizing — figures: Alex Rodriguez.

It’s not just a sports story — it’s the story of fame, fall, and the relentless pursuit of redemption.

⚡ The Story Behind the Legend

From the outside, Alex Rodriguez was everything America loved in a superstar — talent, charisma, and the swagger of a man destined to make history. But behind the golden image of “A-Rod” was “Alex” — a boy abandoned by his father, struggling with identity, loyalty, and self-worth.

Directed by Gotham Chopra (Man in the Arena: Tom Brady) and Erik LeDrew, the series goes beyond headlines and highlights. Through intimate interviews and never-before-seen footage, ALEX VS AROD reveals the internal conflict that defined a generation’s most divisive athlete.

"You either die a hero or live long enough to become the villain." — That’s the shadow Alex Rodriguez lived under.

⚾ The Rise, The Fall, The Reckoning

Each of the three parts traces a different chapter of Rodriguez’s transformation — from the hungry rookie to the controversial titan to the reflective father and broadcaster we see today.

Part I – The Golden Boy

Debuts November 6 (9:00 PM ET/PT)

At just 18, Alex Rodriguez was drafted first overall in the 1993 MLB Draft, quickly becoming a sensation with the Seattle Mariners. But with fame came expectations — and the defining moment that split “Alex” from “A-Rod” forever: a record-breaking contract with the Texas Rangers that made him both rich and reviled.

Part II – The Fall from Grace

Debuts November 13 (9:00 PM ET/PT).

Now a New York Yankee, Rodriguez’s story grows more complicated. His rivalry — and friendship — with Derek Jeter, his tabloid-fueled personal life, and the 2009 PED scandal redefine him in the public eye. But amidst the chaos, he leads the Yankees to a World Series victory, a bittersweet triumph for a man many had begun to doubt.

Part III – The Reckoning

Debuts November 20 (9:00 PM ET/PT)

In 2013, the storm returns. Another PED scandal. Another suspension — the longest in MLB history. Yet this time, the story ends differently. We meet an older, humbled Alex, facing his demons and reclaiming control over his narrative. The final episode is not about the fall — it’s about learning to live beyond the legend.

🧠 Inside the Mind of A-Rod

Featuring interviews with Derek Jeter, Ken Griffey Jr., Lou Piniella, and Katie Couric, along with Rodriguez’s family and daughters Natasha and Ella, this documentary doesn’t just examine the player — it dissects the man behind the myth.

It’s a story about ego, legacy, and forgiveness — told by the man who lived through all three.

"Sometimes, the biggest opponent you face isn’t on the field — it’s in the mirror."

🎥 Behind the Camera

Produced by Religion of Sports, ALEX VS AROD comes from the visionary team behind Man in the Arena: Tom Brady and Passion Play: Russell Westbrook. Directors Chopra and LeDrew bring an intimate, cinematic lens to the story — one that doesn’t glorify or condemn, but humanizes.

With executive producers Lindsay Shookus, Nancy Abraham, and Lisa Heller, this is HBO Sports at its storytelling best — honest, emotional, and deeply reflective.

🏟️ Why You Should Watch

Whether you’re a lifelong baseball fan or just someone fascinated by redemption stories, ALEX VS AROD will hit you where it hurts — in the heart. It’s about how greatness can isolate, how fame can distort, and how facing your past can be the hardest game of all.

The duality of “Alex” and “A-Rod” isn’t just about sports — it’s about human nature itself.

❓ FAQs: ALEX VS AROD on HBO Max

Q1: What is ALEX VS AROD about?

A: It’s a three-part documentary exploring the life and controversies of baseball legend Alex Rodriguez, from his rise as a young prodigy to his fall from grace amid PED scandals and his path to redemption.

Q2: When does ALEX VS AROD premiere?

A: The series premieres Thursday, November 6 at 9 PM ET/PT on HBO, streaming same day on HBO Max. New episodes air each Thursday.

Q3: Who directed the series?

A: Directed by Gotham Chopra and Erik LeDrew, the team behind Man in the Arena: Tom Brady.

Q4: How many episodes are in the series?

A: The documentary runs across three one-hour episodes, airing weekly through November 20.

Q5: What makes this different from other sports documentaries?

A: Unlike typical highlight reels, ALEX VS AROD delves into identity, ego, and redemption, offering raw access to Rodriguez himself as he reflects on his legacy with unflinching honesty.

⚾ Final Thoughts

Alex vs A-Rod isn’t about a fallen hero — it’s about a man learning to live beyond his legend. It’s the story of power, pain, and perspective — of how a kid named Alex became a brand named A-Rod, and what it cost him to be both.

"In baseball, you get three strikes. In life, if you’re lucky, you get one more."