The saga of Alex Rodriguez has been quiet during the last couple of weeks. Undoubtedly due to the fact that ARod demanded that his camp stay quiet so he can focus on baseball and not cause an additional distraction in the clubhouse. A stark contrast to the media circus that was the month of August.
On August 5, ARod arrived in Chicago to play his first game back in the majors after recovering from hip surgery. That same day, MLB announced they were issuing a 211 game suspension to ARod on the heels of a much publicized investigation into the Biogenesis clinic regarding PED’s. As per the rules of the Joint Drug Agreement, a player has three days to appeal the suspension. Arod’s camp appealed on Aug. 8th. Subsequently allowing ARod to play during the appeal process.
Some players around the league had negative feedback:
” I don’t think it’s fair for the other teams because I’m in the American League East,” said Tampa Bay Ray Evan Longoria, “…” I don’t think it’s fair that we can’t have an arbitrator hear the case sooner.”
John Lackey, no stranger to bad publicity had an issue with Arod playing during his appeal. “I’ve got a problem with it. You bet I do,” Lackey said on Thursday. “How is he still playing? He obviously did something and he’s playing. I’m not sure that’s right . . . It’s pretty evident he’s been doing stuff for a lot of years I’ve been facing him.”
On August 18th, Red Sox journey-man Ryan Dempster took matters into his own hands and threw intentionally at ARod. Not sure if Dempster threw at him because of his history of steroids, or the rumor that Arod snubbed him at a party hurting his feelings. Dempster would not admit the blatant, intentional beaning. MLB suspended Dempster for 5 games with pay, and he never missed a start. Bad behavior not punished.
Every player in MLB should receive the same treatment. 13 players were suspended from the Biogenesis investigation, including ARod. If any of those players appealed, they too would be allowed to play until the appeal process plays out. So, why the venom and hatred against ARod?
Fans, players, coaches, can talk till they are blue in the face that their contempt of ARod is because of his steroid use, but that simply is not true. Steroid and HGH use is an unfortunate black eye in the game. Many players have been gone caught and many haven’t. The hatred of ARod began when ARod, as a free agent signed a 10-year, $252 million dollar contract with the Texas Rangers. How dare anyone sign a contract for that kind of money? I’m sure no one else would do such a thing. I’m sure the heckler with the beer gut yelling obscenities his way would never accept that kind of money for any reason.
In-genuine, pretty-boy, narcissist, just a few choice words naysayers have used to describe Alex Rodriguez. He may be these things, or may not. These traits don’t make him any different from many players that have played with him, before him, or who will play when ARod is just a memory.
ARod is far from perfect, he has insecurities, and according to some, a desperation to be perfect. His admiration of fellow teammate Derek Jeter befuddled some. In an excerpt from Joe Torre’s book “The Yankee Years”, Joe Torre says of ARod, “In his own way, Rodriguez was fascinated with Jeter, as if trying to figure out what it was about Jeter that could have bought him so much goodwill. The inside joke in the clubhouse was that Rodriguez’ pre-occupation with Jeter recalled the 1992 film, ‘Single White Female,’ in which a woman becomes obsessed with her roommate to the point of dressing like her.”
“If he would let people into his personal side, people would get him,” said ex- ballplayer Doug Mientkiewicz “Alex’s biggest detriment is Alex .
Although ARod is not the player of old, he has been solid since his return to the Bronx. He is running well, batting .283 with 4 HR and 10 RBI. Putting his stats aside, it seems as though ARod is finally beginning to accept himself. In the next at bat after Dempster intentionally hit him ARod answered with a towering 446- foot HR. No words needed to be spoken, ARod’s face in the dugout said it all.
ARoid!