With A-Rod, When Is Enough, Enough?
So, Alex Rodriguez now finds him if the media crosshairs again. And, if not for Ben Roethlisberger and the Ladies of UConn Hoops, this latest story on A-Rod might be bigger news today.
And, what do Yankees fans think about the latest Rodriguez issue in Yankeeland? Well, there’s a large portion of them who are not bothered over it…offering something along the lines of:
“Thirty-five homers and a hundred ribbies. That’s all I care about. What and who he does off the field, and what’s in his body, and when, doesn’t matter. I just want him playing third, batting clean-up, and hitting the ball out of the park.”
We’ve seen something like this before…haven’t we? For seven years, Red Sox Nation stuck their heads in the sand when it came to the antics of Manny Ramirez – offering the “Manny being Manny” defense – turning a blind eye towards the slugger’s baggage…since he was mashing the baseball and driving the Red Sox offensive attack.
But, then came 2008. And, by that point, Red Sox Nation had seen enough of “Manny being Manny,” and Ramirez was cast out of the scene in Boston.
Could the same happen with A-Rod in Yankeeland? If so, when will it happen and what will it take to make it happen?
Personally, I think we’re getting close to seeing it happen. And, there will be an HGH related-trigger to it. What about you?
But, then came 2008. And, by that point, Red Sox Nation had seen enough of “Manny being Manny,” and Ramirez was cast out of the scene in Boston.
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Not sure how much I agree with this statement. They had been trying to trade Manny for a few offseasons by that point.
But overall, I don’t care. All I care is about production, and it will come to a head at some point since A-Rod is to be paid well into his 40′s.
Steve, I read here all the time, but rarely comment. However, your blind hatred of Arod is almost comical. Comparing him to Manny is really a stretch. Arod is singled out by the media because he is an easy target….in the past he hasn’t been good at expressing himself and frequently stuck his foot in his mouth. Now he has been quiet, for the most part, for over a year, and produced big-time last year. Who cares about this story. If it were about any other player, or even if he didn’t play in NY, it would be a non-story. You need to give up the Arod bashing, the Yankees are not going to get rid of their best player as long as he produces.
UNC Tarheel wrote:
They will never be rid of him with that contract.
@ Corey Italiano:
That, too. Who else can pay him….so since he isn’t going anywhere, just let it go.
Corey Italiano wrote:
It could be super-messy, but, if he saw Anthony Galea and it was not authorized, they maybe could void the deal – according to some reports.
@ UNC Tarheel: Would you be saying all those things about A-Rod if he was not on the Yankees?
@ Steve Lombardi:
Probably not, because I really don’t care. I just think it is crazy how you advocate for the Yankees to get rid of their best player….just because you don’t “like” him.
And they are not going to be able to void his contract, that is a pipe dream on your part. The union would never allow it. Plus, they don’t want to get rid of a guy who carries the offense.
@ UNC Tarheel:
No question that A-Rod is, and has been, a huge part of the Yankees offense. And, losing him would create a HUGE hole. On that we agree.
@ Steve Lombardi:
As long as news doesn’t come out that he used some type of illegal substance, this is a non-story and he will continue to carry the offense.
UNC Tarheel wrote:
But, what if it does come out that he got HGH and used it from Galea?
When will the Yankees unload Alex Rodriguez?
I don’t know.
When did the Tigers unload Ty Cobb?
When did the Giants unload Barry Bonds?
And, for that matter, when did the Red Sox unload Ted Williams?
@ Steve Lombardi:
If ifs and buts were fruits and nuts, what a wonderful Christmas it would be……
This obviously would be a big story…..and he would receive a 50 game suspension.
NYY FO has not found out anything new. They’ve known Rodriguez and his ways for years. Why would they change their position at this point?
We could do hypotheticals all day (what if this, what if that). The basic equation remains the same. Highly productive player who creates a lot of drama and lacks candor. Until there’s a major change in one side of that equation (significant drop in production, significant rise in stink factor), their calculation will remain the same. They’ll hold their noses and pay as long as the balance weighs on the production side.
Tresh Fan wrote:
When did the Yankees unload Jason Giambi?
@ Steve Lombardi:
“It could be super-messy, but, if he saw Anthony Galea and it was not authorized, they maybe could void the deal – according to some reports.” The lengthy piece in the Times inidicates that a team may fine a player a portion of his salary for seeing a doctor without team authorization. That is a far cry from voiding deal. This contract, negotiated by ownership over Cashman’s head, will continue to haunt the franchise.
I can only hope in this case that Galea’s claim to have given A-Rod nothing more than an anti-inflammatory is true. But I very much doubt that it is as simple as that. To me, it is remarkable that after everything he went through last spring, Arod could not manage to follow the established treatment protocol for his hip, which meant sticking with his surgeon. If nothing else, the episode demonstrates yet again that Arod simply lacks good judgment and common sense.
But, then came 2008. And, by that point, Red Sox Nation had seen enough of “Manny being Manny,” and Ramirez was cast out of the scene in Boston.
Could the same happen with A-Rod in Yankeeland? If so, when will it happen and what will it take to make it happen?
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I see the connection you’re trying to make, and although on certain levels they seem similar, there is a difference.
Manny’s antics were mostly on the field of play, where he wouldn’t take the bat off his shoulder in a big at bat (Yankee Stadium vs. Mo a couple years ago, remember?), not run to first base, half-ass it on balls in the outfield and sometimes milk injuries to stay out of the lineup (he did this to stay out of the big game Joba pitched well in Fenway in July of ’08). “Manny being Manny” was unfortunate because, although he was a free spirit which could be fun sometimes, his free-spirited ways were sometimes detrimental to the success of the Boston Red Sox.
Alex’s connection to PEDs may never go away, which is a point you’re made and one that we can’t deny. Sure, they can go away, but they can easily not go away…we just don’t know. But Alex, despite his off-field flaws, has been next to flawless where Manny fell short. Alex can never be accused of not working or training hard, and he can never be accused of half-assing it on the field or in the batters box. Many would say he works harder and is more dedicated than anybody in the game of baseball, and many Yankee fans love that. With Alex being that type of player, it’s easy for us to say “idc about PEDs, just hit 35 bombs and drive in 100 runs” because as Yankee fans we all know, without a shred of doubt, that he will work his butt off to accomplish all of that. That part of his game, or that part of the man himself, has never been in question.
You can’t say that about Manny.
Not fair to compare A-Rod to Man-Ram. Manny was/is an ass clown both off (regularly) and, on (sometimes) the field. The guy punched out a Botox staffer, faked injury and illness when he didn’t want to play or felt the organization was disrespecting him, and nearly got into a fist fight in the dug out with Yukelele for dogging it. No, A-Rod isn’t that kind of bad. He’s always gone hard between the lines, always had himself ready to play, etc… No question he’s a circus at times off the field, but Manny has more many more jugglers, acrobats and midgets in funny hats circling around his show. Just look what he started in the Dodger camp in the last 72 hours.
Corey Italiano wrote:
It would seem to me that these statements contradict each other. I guess maybe they tired of him earlier (the Ramirez – Rodriguez deal that fell through, putting Manny on waivers), but finally found a taker for him in 2008.
Having said that, the two players aren’t really comparable; Manny catches or caught heat for his lackadaisical approach to the game, maybe for being a space cadet. Rodriguez catches heat because he doesn’t say the right things. He’s still dealing with the resentment of 10yr/252M
UNC Tarheel wrote:
If the Yankees really want to let him go, they’ll find a way to move him. If it means covering salary, like Texas did to send him to NY, they’ll find a way.
@ Raf:
If you recall, all the way back in 2003, they put Manny on irrevocable waivers and nobody took him. They were sick of him long before they got the opportunity to trade him.
I have this annoying habit of getting players backs when they play for The Yankees. It causes many arguments with friends when I defend one of our players. I did it in Spring of last year, only to give a big FU later in October. Bottom line is I love Arod. I know how hard he works off the field and he has given me so many great moments in the last few years. (April 2007, October 2009, seeing #500 in person) I agree he probably does some stupid shit off the field, but that wont stop me from being his biggest fan as long as he’s in the Bronx. That being said, I would be really upset if he took HGH to come back from hip surgery last year. I seriously doubt it though. P.s. Cranks post said it all!
For the record, I would agree that A-Rod, on the field, is not the same as Manny.
Outside of starting a stupid fight with Varitek, trying to bitch slap the ball out of a pitcher’s glove, and yelling “Ha!” at an infielder trying to make a play, A-Rod on the field is solid – always hustling, giving 100%, etc.
And, Manny dogged it on the bases and in the field with Boston – a lot of time.
I never meant to say their “act” was the same. I’m just saying that with Manny your organization has to deal with a lot of attention that comes its way because of him – at least Boston did.
And, with A-Rod, it’s the same…because of poker games, strippers/wife-cheating, Madonna, getting outed for using PEDs in Texas, stuff like that…all this baggage that A-Rod creates brings attention to the organization/franchise that’s not great, but, they put up with…up to a point.
And, I’m just wondering what that point is and when will it come for the Yankees and A-Rod.
@ Steve Lombardi:
If that point comes while he’s nearing 700 Hrs…that point will get buried, lol.
Tresh Fan wrote:
I would say that Bonds is the best comp. Cobb and Williams were a different time, pay scale, had less options, etc. Plus, they were home-grown stars, etc.
Bonds is a lot like the A-Rod situation. But, SF needed Bonds badly. So, they looked the other way on a lot of his stuff. Do the Yankees, with all their players, need A-Rod as badly as SF needed Bonds? Probably not. And, that’s a difference to consider.
Scout wrote:
Dead, solid, perfect. Yes, this shows that all this talk about A-Rod being a new man and finally getting it is bunk.
Steve Lombardi wrote:
Rodriguez took exception to a pitch. Not the first to do it, nor will he be the last.
The slap play on the surface was legit; remember, he wasn’t called out immediately for interference, it took an umpire’s conference to make the call. Again, he isn’t the first player to try something like that (Vince Coleman comes to mind, or anyone who has tried to dislodge a ball from a fielder’s hand), nor will he be the last.
Yelling “ha” was a heads up play. That infielder should be embarrassed for falling for a little league sandlot trick. And he was, given his reaction, which is why the incident got as much play as it did.
@ Steve Lombardi:
Yes, this shows that all this talk about A-Rod being a new man and finally getting it is bunk.
Too be fair we’ve said he’s been a new man AFTER the hip surgery beginning in May vs Baltimore. He seemed like a new man the rest of 2009 season.
Steve Lombardi wrote:
I don’t know who or why anyone would take a ballplayer at his word (especially one like Rodriguez, who supposedly can’t be trusted). I just want him to help my favorite team win. Couldn’t care less what he does on his spare time, unless it impacts the team; Pascual Perez failing a drug test, being suspended for the season. Or Gooden and Strawberry going into rehab. Or Jeff Kent washing his truck
@ Steve Lombardi:
Don’t forget the pitch-tipping either. I love A-Rod’s production, but it wouldn’t hurt my feelings a bit if the Yankees found a way to move him.
nettles wrote:
I’m indifferent either way… The Yankees found a way to get by without Ruth, Mantle & DiMaggio, among others. When the time comes, they’ll find a way to get by without Rodriguez.
@ nettles:
It would have if they had moved him prior to October 2009. We dont win that Championship without Arod.
@ nettles: LOL. I totally forgot about the pitch tipping thing already!
clintfsu813 wrote:
Yeah, but, what if we find out that “we don’t win that that Championship” without Arod powered by HGH? Doesn’t that take away from it – considering the LARGE role he played in getting the Yankees thru this past post-season compared to the tank jobs he did in previous Yankees post-seasons?
Steve Lombardi wrote:
It doesn’t lose any luster with me. I assume most players are on some sort of PED
@ Corey Italiano:
Also, to say that A-Rod is the only reason we won would discount the pitching performances that we got throughout the playoffs (aside from a clunkers by Burnett)
clintfsu813 wrote:
Can’t really say that. A team necessarily doesn’t need to be firing on all cylinders to win a World Series.
@ Corey Italiano:
I dont wanna discount the pitchers roles at all. What they did was pitch great and keep those games close allowing for some big hits to win us some games. Alot of these big hits came from Arod. Sure somebody else could have stepped up. (Damn sure wouldnt have been Swish or Tex or Cano) And 2009 most definitely wouldnt lose any luster to me either..though it would in the general public. Hence, more of me having to defend our team, lol.
C’mon – this Manny/A-Rod comparison is just silly:
1. The Red Sox had to agree to pay all of Manny’s salary for the rest of the 2008 season and give up two players in order to get rid of him. And that was just $7 million. Imagine what it would take to move A-Rod’s albatross of a contract. If you think it’s a great idea for the Yankees to literally pay hundreds of millions on A-Rod’s salary when he’s hitting on another team, knock yourself out. Because that’s the only way they’re going to get to move him.
2. While I understand why the Sox had to move Manny, they aren’t even close to the potent lineup they had with the Manny/Ortiz combo. They may be a quieter team, but they are also a weaker team.
2. The Yanks have little ground to do anything to A-Rod with Dr. Galea. Remember, it was Phillipon who told A-Rod to go see Mark Lindsay, Galea’s partner. What’s the Yankees’ defense going to be – we knew you were going to see this one guy, but geez, seeing the business partner is bad?
4. Steve writes, “Yeah, but, what if we find out that “we don’t win that that Championship” without Arod powered by HGH? Doesn’t that take away from it – considering the LARGE role he played in getting the Yankees thru this past post-season compared to the tank jobs he did in previous Yankees post-seasons?” Hmmmm. Do you discount 1999 and 2000 because of Pettitte, Clemens, and Knoblauch? No, in fact you had Pettitte on your untouchable perfect Yankee list, despite him being an admitted HGH user. What’s the difference?
5. “And, with A-Rod, it’s the same…because of poker games, strippers/wife-cheating, Madonna, getting outed for using PEDs in Texas, stuff like that…all this baggage that A-Rod creates brings attention to the organization/franchise that’s not great, but, they put up with…up to a point.” Were you griping in the summer 1978 that Reggie Jackson is just too much of a distraction for the Yankees, and that the team should move him for somebody quieter? Just wondering.
6. Can we please get over acting as if the Yankee organization has no idea that its players have used PEDs? Come on now. If the team really had any objection to it, they wouldn’t have re-signed Andy Pettitte – twice – since the Mitchell Report.
@ lisaswan:
If you can notice a difference between Andy Pettitte and Alex Rodriguez, as they have carried themselves in the Yankees uniform, then you really haven’t been paying attention with both eyes open, IMHO.
@ Steve Lombardi:
Aaaaah, so we can discount Pettitte’s HGH use on championship teams because we like the way he carries himself, but 2009 is forever tainted if A-Rod did use HGH? Got it.
im so tired of of hearing about PEDs and HGH in general. it happened people took em some people r still stupid enough to take them now. highly doubt that ARod used HGH i dont think he’s that dumb. he’ll be ousted out of the game like Bonds was and im sure he realizes that. he probably went to this guy just to get some kind of second opinion. as for the others stuff ARod has done, varitek fight, swapping at the ball, pitch tipping, yelling “Ah!.” its all part of the game. varitek got in ARod’s face ARod didnt like it so he pushed his face away and things escalated quickly. ive seen fights starts over alot less thing (manny starting a fight with clemens in boston over a pitch that was high and over the plate.) as for the swipping at the ball that happens all the same (just not as blaten) what do u thik someone is tryin to do when the run a catcher or if ur aware enough to try to do it with ur feet or hands when sliding into a tag, happens alot more then u might realize. and the yelling “ah!” that was a heads up play. that third basemen should know what his shortstop sounds u spend more time with ur teammates then ur own family. and the pitch tipping… if a catcher is stupid enough to not switch up the signs then he deserves it. hitters take every edge then take since hitting a round baseball with a round bat squarely is the hardest thing to do in sports. as long as ARod is producing and isnt hurting the team on the field, which i dont think he is, since hes one a WS now and helped his team get to the playoffs every year since hes been year except one which isnt an easy feat by any measures, hell be around for quite while. so everyone get used to it.
And the Yankees won’t release Kei Igawa – or find anybody to take him of their hands. But they’re going to get all OMG about HGH and dump A-Rod – and the $250+ million left on his contract? Not. Going. To. Happen.