Guest Author - David Landry
It’s two weeks and eight games into the season and already A-Rod is back in the news. This time it’s primarily for the quality of his play, but it’s also about his relationship with Derek Jeter and with the Yankee fan base in general.
Definitely not Mr. October
A-Rod has earned the enmity of many NY fans by underperforming in three straight playoffs. Unfortunately for him, the Yankees have mirrored his performance each time. He started out strong in games one through three of the 2004 ALCS, as the Yankees appeared to be a lock to sweep the seemingly hapless Red Sox.
Starting with game four of the 2004 ALCS, it’s all been downhill for Rodriguez in the post season. He’s gone 4 for 41 with a .091 average in his last 12 playoff games. Needless to say, he has no RBIs during that run.
Prior to the Season
A-Rod started out the pre-season with a whimper by revealing that his relationship with Derek Jeter was no longer as close as it had been in the past. When asked about it, Jeter brushed off the subject as inconsequential.
It made it difficult for fans to resist comparing the two Yankee stars. Jeter came off as the cool, unemotional professional he’s been since his rookie season. A-Rod appeared insecure and needy. The fans, in turn, are reliving the Mantle-Maris emotions of their parents, felling that support for one is tantamount to disrespect for the other. Jeter is the one who will always occupy their hearts.
Next came the talk about A-Rod’s escape clause. Apparently, A-Rod can exit his contract at the end of this season if the Yankees don’t agree to the optional extension. This would leave the last two years of his ten year, $252 million deal unfulfilled. Amazingly, it would probably also land Rodriguez an even richer deal elsewhere! Yankees fans were once again buzzing about A-Rod and stating that they hoped he would leave.
Mr. April
Once the season started, A-Rod proved that there was a reason for him having the richest contract in MLB history. He’s come out of the blocks with six home runs in the first seven games and a total of 16 RBIs. Further, he hit a walk-off grand slam to defeat Detroit in one of those games. These are the numbers of a winner, but he will never get the respect of the NY fans unless he leads the Yankees to World Series glory.
What will it take?
Simply participating in a World Series victory will not be sufficient. He needs to show some magic come October. Of course, by then it may be way too late. This is going to be a very interesting year for Alex down in the Bronx.
