I know I was a man…
who worked the night shift…
I was lucky to get a job and some pay.
Now I like every minute…
of the day…
Pearl Jam, Blue Red Grey
As you know, Alex Rodriguez, formerly (well, currently) of the New York Yankees, announced Sunday night he intended to opt out of his megadeal with the Bombers, forever scorning the Yankees, and mostly sticking New York with either no third baseman or no Texas-sized subsidy. A-Rod, or Captain Rod, as we’ve affectionately derided him in the past, is now a free agent.
And say what you will about the announcement upstaging a World Series (a Series totally worth upstaging, mind you), what’s particularly galling now is the media crescendo vilifying A-Rod, ripping baseball’s supposed best player to shreds. (I’ll except Jemele Hill, because a jarring lack of charisma in baseball’s best player as well as basketball’s best player is worth probing.) Everyone scowls at A-Rod, and as large as his ego may be, justification exists for him to (a) leave the New York circus, (b) make more money, and (c) seek another, final, long-term deal. Labels follow him, harped on by a media scorned – greedy, Prima donna, gutless, classless – talking heads each weigh in, decrying Captain Rod.
Appropriately, Deadspin – such as it is – also ripped A-Rod’s ego; chastising him for spurning the Yankees’ extension, admonishing him for interrupting the Series, and excoriating him for leaving behind a media/fan circus that’s done almost nothing but scowl at Rodriguez’ every move, even while he posted two MVP seasons. That’s fine.
Not two posts later, however, DS poked fun at Joe Girardi, new Yankees manager, for his recent entry into Zoo York and the howling Bronx fan/media circus. Girardi, apparently, is stupid to join the Yankees, while A-Rod is a selfish jerk because he decided to leave.
So which is it?
Not to pick on the inimitable blog; it simply provides a convenient example – teeth-gnashing over everything, simply par for the course for the enigmatic Rodriguez. For whatever reason, Alex Rodriguez is a pariah. A Hall-of-Fame player who can’t quite become popular. Not relatable to Joe Fan on any level, seeking desperately to be liked but always proving hopelessly unlikable. Too perfect for media scags and baseball fans in general – inspiring only petty jealousy, rage, and condescension rather than simple awe or admiration. Surely a monumental, fat contract (about to get fatter) doesn’t help, nor does his relentless agent. How did Michael Jordan pull the wool over everyone’s eyes, exactly?
Forever would A-Rod be labeled a Yankee failure, no matter the size or scope of his extension. Some would cite a downturn in playoff statistics (Then Gary Sheffield must be Public Enemy No. 1). Some point to his childish glove-slap of Bronson Arroyo in 2004. Still others cite his disturbing lack of “clutch” hits (Where were all of Derek Jeter’s clutch hits against the Indians?). Forever, including his MVP season this season, he would never be good enough. The Yankee brass let him know it, the Yankee fans let him know it, the New York media let him know it. From his perspective, how, exactly, would another fat contract correct any of this?
So he left. Choosing to bolt from the Yankees, knowing it’s best. Finally, A-Rod struck a nerve by thumbing his nose at the pinstripes that never embraced him. Maybe he hoped that his opt-out would be lost among the Red Sox second title. (Doubtful). Maybe he just wanted to go. Think about it. He left an employer who didn’t appreciate him. He’s exploiting a window to make more money. He’s seeking final, long-term, liquidity and security beyond his dreams. He hated his job, wants to make more money, and is looking for security.
Stripped of baseball, Yankee stadium, and sports talk radio – who among us wouldn’t have done the exact same thing? You’re unhappy at a job, you’re unappreciated, you want more money – you leave.
And, what, exactly, is wrong with that?
