Apparently, that's all of us who repeatedly backed Alex Rodriguez despite his postseason (and all of 2006) clutch woes, his crippling personality disorders and insecurity, problems with teammates and his apparent inability to handle the media before say, June 2007.
NoMaas, which I feel was overzealous in its joy at Joe Torre's dismissal, gets it exactly right here:
We don't blame Arod for opting out. After all, the Yankees traded for him knowing that he had this clause in his contract. Plus, he was treated like crap by the fans and media here. Maybe he just had enough.
However, we blame Arod for not being man enough to even have a conversation with the Yankees, and specifically Brian Cashman. Cashman was one of the few who publicly defended Rodriguez, and denied the countless trade demands made by writers and fans. After telling us repeatedly during the season that he wanted to stay in New York, Alex did not even honor the Yankees' request of a face-to-face meeting. He reportedly broke up with the Yankees in a voicemail left by Scott Boras. No dialogue. No conversation. Can't we be a little more professional than that? Is that how you really conduct business, Alex?
...
What is certain though is that sincerity and professionalism are two qualities which Alex Rodriguez clearly lacks.
Great athletes don't necessarily need sincerity and professionalism in all aspects. But all the greats have been sincere in their desire to win and professional in the way they went about their business. Even a moron like Manny Ramirez is clearly sincere in his love of baseball and professional in his approach to hitting.
No one doubts A-Rod's professional approach to hitting, but it's all superseded -- his play, his love for the game, his desires to win and to be loved -- to a desire, a sincere one, to be the best-paid, dominant figure in sports. To be bigger than anything else.
Are we jumping the gun? Maybe A-Rod comes back. Even if he somehow did, though, hasn't he burnt all his bridges? It would be a Yankee fan's version of Stockholm Syndrome to welcome him back with open arms.
Kudos to Scott Boras, for he's doing exactly what he needs to do, but A-Rod? Hope the money and new city compensates for being the loneliest man in sports.
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