The more I watch A-ROD, the more he seems like a character out of a Greek tragedy. Just like those poor souls try to avoid their fate, so too does A-ROD try to be more like Jeter. And the harder he tries, the less like Jeter he becomes.
Today was not a good day for the Yankee third baseman. He woke up to photographs of him and an unidentified blonde woman (not his wife and not Mariah Carey) on the front page of the New York Post. Then, just as the Yankees were finally about to a put a good win of their own in the books, A-ROD again left himself open to charges of unsportsman-like conduct. Jorge Posada hit a high pop to the Blue Jays' third baseman, and A-ROD was rounding the bases with two outs. As he approached third, he yelled something, and the ball dropped. The Blue Jays' insist he yelled "mine" in an attempt to fake out their player; in the post-game presser, A-ROD claimed he had just yelled "Ha!," because he was excited. In any case, nobody thought it was an appropriate play, even if it led to more Yankee runs. And this comes on top of the glove-slapping incident with Bronson Arroyo in Game 6 of the ALCS and then the elbow to Dustin Pedroia trying to break up a double play against Boston last week.
The play tonight reminded me of something Jeter did a few years ago - something very similar to what Reyes did yesterday. While on third, Jeter danced off third, waving his arms wildly, and the Yankees either tied the game or won the game as the pitcher balked. One can only think A-ROD intended to do something similar - do something extraordinary to win a game. Except the more he tries, the more desperate he looks. Jeter is celebrated; A-ROD is despised. It seems it will always be this way.
8 comments:
Only by people who choose to draw the comparison. I do not despise AROD or chose to compare him to Jeter.
I do not despise Minky for dancing like his foot was hit when he clearly wasn't, or Abreu pretending that he once got a ball when it was hit.
If you want to compare this play to what Jeter did, then his is even better. It did not affect the outcome of the game. Where was this mess yesterday when Phelps was almost bowled over at first, or when Ortiz "had a hard slide on Jeter"
And if you saw AROD's interview on YES you would rightfully dismiss that phrase I've seen on so called professional blogs. The Times included.
Thanks for your comment. I assume you mean when stinkowitz was actually hit by the pitch in the Mets game but failed to make an attempt to get out of the way. That shows more about the state of stinkowitz's offensive capabilities than his sportsmanship. Granted, stinko would have had the ball at first whereas Phelps could only get hopelessly run over.
This A-ROD/Jeter thing isn't the creation of the media, or the fans. A-ROD took the first shot at Jeter in that interview, and ever since has been trying to rehabiliate himself. If it was such a good play yesterday, why didn't Torre defend him?
Nope. Never said it was fan or media created, while it actually is. Are you not a fan? are you not comparing?
I respect Torre completely but I do not need him to defend AROD, people are entitled to their opinions. I have no problems with what AROD did, nor do I find it despicable. Not everyone agrees with me. I do find it despicable that Un-Jeter or Jeter references are brought up. Look at that play again, the short stop is doing what? The ball dropped after AROD was by third base, what where they still doing? The third baseman was backing up while still looking up and cupping his glove? Seriously.
And seriously, an interview from what, 6 years ago now? It says more about people who won't let go than it does about AROD at this point. You mean to tell me that you have never said anything in your life, ever?
I'm sure if your every word and every mistake was printed and analyzed some would find you despicable too.
As for Minky, I am blanking on the game at the moment, but I am referring to the play after I think Giambi was hit, Minky was NOT, but the home plate umpire called it.
I am a fan, and I am comparing. What I said was the A-ROD/Jeter situation was not CREATED by the fans or the media. A-ROD brought much of this upon himself with that interview, and his actions ever since. And then even he himself admitted he is not close friends with Jeter in spring training. Obviously the media continues to drive the story, but it's not like there isn't anything behind it.
Obviously the guy should have caught the ball last night - but that isn't the point. And do you honestly believe A-ROD when he says it happens to him three or four times per week? I bet it will now, and this is not good news for the Yanks, as he is a bit shaky on pop ups as it is.
The point is that if you are the highest paid player in baseball, you should be more careful about what you say and do.
As for stinko, I don't recall the play you are talking about, but am willing to take your word for it.
Of course I believe AROD when he says it happens to him. I can't believe you think he was implying that he was being singled out during pop ups -- if this is not what you mean, it is reading that way.
The guy said it best during spring training, "people pay too much attention to me". Look, Giambi has done at least 2 informal printed interviews I have read in which he mentions his favorite strip clubs, heavy porn collection and love for Jack Daniels and he is paid any year between 3 to 5 million less than AROD, where was this vitriol when his latest news came out? Oh yeah, he is married and has at least one kid.
Like I said, the interview was six years ago, to each their own who wish to cling to it. He has not said anything close since.
Finally, if this constant comparison was not created by the fans or media, it is definitely perpetuated by them. Those who want it to stop, need to stop referencing it at every opportunity. No one is saying AROD is a saint, but nitpicking and hanging onto his every flaw is not going to make anything better.
This is arodfan, I do not know why it is previewing as Arod.
AROD said this play happens to him three or four times a week, which I really don't think is true. He may have been referring to the fans shouting something to him in foul territory but that is totally different.
I really don't care much about the strip clubs or the blonde woman, but perhaps he should stop claiming to be a family man and writing children's books and the like. Plus using Giambi in A-ROD's defense probably isn't the best line of attack - unless you missed the last two weeks with the steroids comments and the failed amphetamine test.
And all of this would disappear if he would play better in the postseason. 2 hits in the last 2 postseason series really isn't going to cut it.
Right, AROD is the only Yankee in recent history to disappear during the post season. Everything before the final 4 of 2004 are completely meaningless.
I was not using Giambi in AROD's defense, just sighting a recent example of a Yankee who is highly paid and has done and said something questionable. I also was not even referring to the front page thrash on the Post, I was referring to what you said about highly paid people being careful about what they say and do. I picked Giambi 'cause his actions have led to much bigger distractions than anything AROD has ever done as a Yankee. After all what is bigger than using steroids?
You chose to compare him to Jeter, well Jeter and AROD are not the only Yankees.
And excuse me, how is AROD posing as a family man? 'Cause he went to a strip club? That negates everything his done with his family? Yeah, that does not follow.
I am sure that you are as bored with this as I am. I like the blog, and clearly you are entitled to your own opinion,I just wanted to say as a huge Yankee, AROD and Jeter fan, I find these comparisons offensive and counterproductive.
Fair enough. But I do think A-ROD's postseason performances should be held under the microscope - I mean the guy is making $27 million (that's a pretty costly two hits, even if Texas is paying some of the salary).
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