A-Rod Needs To Focus On Playing and Fitting In
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by user Leslie Monteiro
Alex Rodriguez has to wonder to himself if he regrets forcing a trade to the New York Yankees. He clearly did not envision that it would be like this. He thought going to New York would help him get more endorsements, happiness, and a championship ring. It has not worked out for him so far and one has to wonder if it ever will. He has created these problems by himself. His lack of ability to hit in big games and him opening his mouth at the wrong time is the reason why he is in this predicament.
He is already hinting that he will depart from the team next year. He plans to use his opt-out of his original contract and test the market. The smart money is that he will bail out of New York and play in a town where he will not go through a life in a fishbowl.
Things have not been the same for him ever since the Yankees choke a 3-1 series lead against the Boston Red Sox in 2004. He has been the symbol of this franchise’s drought of not winning World Series championships. It is now six years that the baseball’s flagship franchise has not won a championship. It is killing New Yorkers because most of their teams are horrible nowadays so everyone is venting on him.
The New York media and Yankees fans have been hounding him since the team’s choke job in the 2004 ALCS. He has created high expectations based on what he did at Seattle and Texas. They expected him to hit homeruns and win the big games for the team. He was actually doing that in his first season, but after that, he has never been the same. He still puts good numbers, but to the demanding media and the fans, it is about coming through in the clutch and winning championships. He has failed to deliver on both counts. He seems to be wallowing in self-pity as result of the booing by the fans and the criticism from the press. He needs to get over it. It is part of playing in New York. He should have known that before he orchestrated his departure from Texas. He has played Major League Baseball for a while to know what takes place in New York.
For all the money that he makes, he can use it for hiring a better PR person, who can help him talk to the media. He says the wrong things at the wrong time. First of all, why should he even talk to the media in the first place? Why should he go talk about himself? Do fans really want to know about his relationship with Jeter? They really do not. They just want him to play baseball and forget the nonsense, but he just does not get it. He goes throws Jeter under the bus about how his relationship with him is not the same. Jeter handled it right by not even saying much. You would think he would learn something through osmosis by being around Jeter by now, but he does not. He just talks about himself and talks about his salary just to make him feel secure. This act can get old after awhile. It is no wonder why fans will boo him.
He committed another sin by talking about Cubs manager Lou Piniella in an interview for HBO’s Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel. He was praising the good things that Piniella did to him when he was in Seattle. It seems like a cute story, but this is controversial for couple of reasons. For one thing, he is already setting speculation that he is going to play for the Chicago Cubs next season when he opts-out of his contract. Second of all, it is very obvious that he and Joe Torre do not have that chummy relationship like they used to have when they were in the All-Star Game. Torre has been tired of being his babysitter everytime there is a controversy with him so his star player feels betrayed. It came to a head when Torre batted him in the eighth spot in an elimination game of the ALDS against the Tigers last year. It should not have been a big deal for him because at least he was playing in that game, but since he is so sensitive, it took a life of his own. Considering all the scrutiny that Rodriguez has created since his time, this was not the right time for him to talk up about his former manager.
One has to wonder why he keeps talking about himself and what he wants to do. He has to realize that he needs to be quiet and just play. Does any of his teammates talk to the media or even worry about what others think of them? They do not because they realize that it is a worthless exercise and that they got other better things to do. Rodriguez should follow their lead.
The only time he should talk to the media is after the game. What he should do is just talk about up his teammates or team in general rather than talk about him. He should just describe the game. It would be nice too if he can be accountable for his horrible play. He does that at times, but he will do it at the prodding of the media and the fans. He should do this on his own when he is not getting it done. Another good advice for him would be that he needs to try to fit in by being around them rather being isolated by them and being self-absorbed. It is no secret that he is not well-liked by his current teammates. He brings that on himself by being aloof towards them. He only hangs out with his own entourage. This is basically it. Maybe he ought to take the time to know them so he can try to fit in.
Who knows what is going to happen this year? It will be another interesting year for him and it is going to be that way as long as he is a Yankee. This is likely the last year for him unless he and his team wins a World Championship, which could be tough since the Yankees are not that good enough to win it all. He just has to keep producing, keep his mouth shut, and fit in.
This is likely his last year in New York. What he should do is make the most of it by getting with the program.
