The Yankees are on the verge of blowing this AROD situation in a big, big way.
If I were a gambling man, I would be willing to bet that Yankees fans, and baseball fans in general are sick and tired of this AROD / Derek Jeter soap opera. Rodriguez’ most recent, ‘he [Jeter] likes me, he likes me not’ comments have no doubt irritated Gotham’s faithful who, demand a thicker than average skin from their professional athletes. Newsflash! Rodriguez is not Sports’ first athlete with superior talent and a fabrigee ego. His contributions on the field are so impressive however, that it would behoove Yankees management to create a supportive environment or risk losing arguably, this generation’s dominant slugger.
When it comes to AROD, everyone is quick to point out his post season failures and there is no sugarcoating this fact. Rodriguez himself admits that his play off resume has been, for the most part an enormous disappointment. But what if he is a play off late bloomer. Despite the records that Peyton Manning piled up, people were much more concerned with his ‘cant win the big one’ label. One Super Bowl win later, Manning is considered one of the best signal callers in NFL history. It wasn’t that long ago that Barry Bonds picture appeared on the side of a milk carton every October. Then came his breakout 2002 post season and now Bonds is criticized for many things, but play off failure is not one of them. Rodriguez is one of the few players in baseball who, when right, can dominate a series by himself.
As unpopular a notion as this may be, Derek Jeter himself is a big part of the problem. No one can disregard what the Yankee icon has accomplished during his Hall of Fame career. He will no doubt be remembered as one of the greatest Yankees of all time and when it is all said and done, one of the greatest shortstops of all time. He is also unquestionably, the Bronx Bombers’ heart and soul, its undisputed leader, but shouldn’t his main concern as leader be doing whatever it takes to help Rodriguez feel comfortable? Regardless of Jeter’s personal feelings towards Rodriguez, getting AROD mentally healthy and productive would go a long way in assuring Yankee dominance. AROD may not come close to Jeter in terms of mental toughness but when he’s on, in terms of production, Rodriguez himself has few peers and like it or not, it is Jeter’s duty as a leader to do what it takes to help AROD get right.
Perhaps Boss Steinbrenner has had enough with the AROD saga and Rodriguez’ days in a Yankee uniform are indeed numbered. Seems like a good idea. The problem is that Rodriguez; unceremonious dismissal from New York may ultimately be what ends up giving him something to prove. Rodriguez has always been formidable, but add to that a burning desire to prove that he can be an unstoppable force regardless of his surroundings, a motivational fire intent on making the Yankees sorry that they ever doubted him?
Be careful George, be very careful.
Gotta go, ‘Family Ties’ is on.
If I were a gambling man, I would be willing to bet that Yankees fans, and baseball fans in general are sick and tired of this AROD / Derek Jeter soap opera. Rodriguez’ most recent, ‘he [Jeter] likes me, he likes me not’ comments have no doubt irritated Gotham’s faithful who, demand a thicker than average skin from their professional athletes. Newsflash! Rodriguez is not Sports’ first athlete with superior talent and a fabrigee ego. His contributions on the field are so impressive however, that it would behoove Yankees management to create a supportive environment or risk losing arguably, this generation’s dominant slugger.
When it comes to AROD, everyone is quick to point out his post season failures and there is no sugarcoating this fact. Rodriguez himself admits that his play off resume has been, for the most part an enormous disappointment. But what if he is a play off late bloomer. Despite the records that Peyton Manning piled up, people were much more concerned with his ‘cant win the big one’ label. One Super Bowl win later, Manning is considered one of the best signal callers in NFL history. It wasn’t that long ago that Barry Bonds picture appeared on the side of a milk carton every October. Then came his breakout 2002 post season and now Bonds is criticized for many things, but play off failure is not one of them. Rodriguez is one of the few players in baseball who, when right, can dominate a series by himself.
As unpopular a notion as this may be, Derek Jeter himself is a big part of the problem. No one can disregard what the Yankee icon has accomplished during his Hall of Fame career. He will no doubt be remembered as one of the greatest Yankees of all time and when it is all said and done, one of the greatest shortstops of all time. He is also unquestionably, the Bronx Bombers’ heart and soul, its undisputed leader, but shouldn’t his main concern as leader be doing whatever it takes to help Rodriguez feel comfortable? Regardless of Jeter’s personal feelings towards Rodriguez, getting AROD mentally healthy and productive would go a long way in assuring Yankee dominance. AROD may not come close to Jeter in terms of mental toughness but when he’s on, in terms of production, Rodriguez himself has few peers and like it or not, it is Jeter’s duty as a leader to do what it takes to help AROD get right.
Perhaps Boss Steinbrenner has had enough with the AROD saga and Rodriguez’ days in a Yankee uniform are indeed numbered. Seems like a good idea. The problem is that Rodriguez; unceremonious dismissal from New York may ultimately be what ends up giving him something to prove. Rodriguez has always been formidable, but add to that a burning desire to prove that he can be an unstoppable force regardless of his surroundings, a motivational fire intent on making the Yankees sorry that they ever doubted him?
Be careful George, be very careful.
Gotta go, ‘Family Ties’ is on.
posted by average john at 9:20 PM
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