Alex Rodriguez

[Prestige]

Heres some quick info if your not up to date with everything. This offseason, a ton of players have been taking jabs at A-Rod through the media. I'm talking names like Trot Nixon, Curt Schilling, David Wells, Jason Varitek, Bronson Arroyo, Kevin Millar and Jose Canseco. They are saying that Rodriguez hasn't "earned his pin-stripes" and he "isn't a true Yankee."

Scott Miller of CBSsportsline.com recently wrote an interesting story on this topic. I'll copy and paste what I thought was the most important part of the story, and I'll leave the link to the article.


Scott Miller writes..

For all of his talent, Rodriguez has emerged as the most unpopular superstar among his peers. Even Barry Bonds gets more love from his fellow players than A-Rod. It started with the $252 million contract, but it really took off when players saw his behavior afterward -- namely, playing golf with Rangers owner Tom Hicks. That quickly separated Corporate A-Rod from his rank-and-file union brothers.

When he blatantly maneuvered himself into this Boston-New York rivalry, that was strike two of his changing image from a Talented Young Player to Spoiled Rich Guy Who Must Get His Way.

Then came his slap at Boston pitcher Bronson Arroyo during the playoffs last season, when he jarred the ball loose in what was deemed by umpires to be an illegal play. And last month, there was this thoroughly self-serving quote to Bergen Record columnist Bob Klapisch during an early morning workout: "I know there are 650 or 700 other players who are sleeping this morning. Either that, or they're taking their kids to school. But there's no way they're going to be up running the stairs or doing what I'm doing."

That comment, rightfully so, frosted the multitudes of those reporting to spring camp this spring. And it will leave A-Rod on the defensive for a long time. In one sweeping statement, he called his peers lazy and diminished fatherhood. That pretty much covered the single players and the married players with families.

Bad combo: A-Rod image-conscious -- and stinks at PR




What do you guys think on the topic?

[B.Major]

I dont understand the comments ive heard about A.Rod not being a true yankee because he hasnt won any rings with them. So, I assume Malone isn't a true Jazz, cus he never won any with them. Oh and Stockton, he better never get involved in any Utah Jazz rivalries, cus he hasn't earned it yet.

Secondly, responding to this part, "When he blatantly maneuvered himself into this Boston-New York rivalry, that was strike two of his changing image from a Talented Young Player to Spoiled Rich Guy Who Must Get His Way. "

As a Yankee, would you be upset that A.Rod is trying to get involved in the rivalry? If anything, it shows loyalty to his team, by hating the team that his team hates.

Thirdly, responding to this comment, "Then came his slap at Boston pitcher Bronson Arroyo during the playoffs last season, when he jarred the ball loose in what was deemed by umpires to be an illegal play."

^Players like Lenny Dykstra and Pete Rose used to be glorified for doing things like, throwing their elbow up in a pickle to knock the ball down (which is illegal), and running over catchers in the all star game (which was considered unneccessary)

And responding to this comment, "I know there are 650 or 700 other players who are sleeping this morning. Either that, or they're taking their kids to school. But there's no way they're going to be up running the stairs or doing what I'm doing."
^If i listed every player that bragged about their workout habits, I'd get tired of typing. I remember Rodman used to brag about his work habits, and what did he get for that? He got praise from commentators and announcers.

I think if you look at all those examples, Prest, you would probably agree that Alex is getting bashed for stuff, that other players in previous years didnt even get questioned for. Is it jealousy? I wont go so far as to say that, but the guy makes it into the 50 most beautiful people, he makes more money than any player, and hes cocky, so are people gonna be a bit jealous, sometimes? I think so.

[Prestige]

Now its time for my arguement. First things first. As of right now, I do not see Alex Rodriguez as a true Yankee.


1.) Right when A-Rod got traded to the Yankees, he said, "I'm more of a leader then Derek Jeter because I was forced to lead as a Mariner and a Ranger. The Yankees have more than one star that can lead, on my teams, I was the only one." Thats not a direct quote, but it was something on those lines.

Why would somebody be forced to be a leader? You're either a leader or not a leader. As much as I hate Derek Jeter, he is the best leader in the game of baseball. A-Rod doesn't compare. When you hear somebody saying how good the person's workout is and what not, it makes me that the person is self centered. A-Rod said that he's happy on how hard he works just like Roger Clemens. But, you don't see Roger Clemens talking about how hard he works in through the media.


2.) Scott Miller wrote, "In one sweeping statement, he called his peers lazy and diminished fatherhood. That pretty much covered the single players and the married players with families."

He's putting other players down for not working as hard as he does. What the hell is an offseason for? It is for relaxing. And he thinks that nobody is working? I'm sure every baseball player works out a good 2 hours a day because baseball is not a sport that you can just pick up on the spot. If you relax over a long period of time, your swing gets out of tune and you get slow on your feet. And, what is wrong with taking your kids to school? A-Rod put players that woke up and took their kids to school.


I could come up with more and more reasons why he isn't a Yankee, and I probably will later. But let me say this, I hate the Yankees, I really do. But, they are the classiest organization in sports. I have never seen a "True Yankee" come out with statements like these. And I have never seen the Yankees sign such a phony. Ahhhh, I just gotta say it... A-ROD'S A BITCH!

[DaVe E BuRnOuT]

Yeah Arod is Over Payed And overRated but he can lead the A's if he wants we need somebodys help

[B.Major]

^stop smokin mufuka =)

Oh, and prest, i actually agree with you a bit, but i rather be the devils advocate and argue, so ill be back =)

[HellRazor]

Actually Im the Devils Advocate^^^.........But yeah, What the Fuck is an Alex Rodriguez??.....Everyone knows that the True A-Rod is Andy Roddick......

[Anubis-Ra]

If i'm gettin 252 million, the whole fuckin world can hate me, I wouldnt give a damn.

[Prestige]

^If your making 252 million I suggest you do something to earn it, or the worlds gonna be up your ass.