You'd think, as good as Alex Rodriguez is at hitting and fielding and just generally playing the game of baseball, he'd be getting a bit more praise from the hometown media. He is, after all, one of the bright spots in the Yankees' otherwise dreary 2007 season. Instead, A-Rod is the subject of columns like this one. Take 10 minutes and read FJM's scathing take on that nonsense; it's worth your time. To balance that negative press a bit, I suppose it's good to see former players sticking up for Rodriguez, or at least praising his individual skill. George Brett did exactly that to the New York Times yesterday, and his comments were supportive, to say the least:
"He's the best player I've ever seen," Brett had said. "He really is."
"You know, I'd pay the $25 million to start with A-Rod," he said. "I really would. He's the best player in the game."
"How old is he? Thirty-two?" Brett said. "He'll blow by them. They won't even be on the radar screen in five or six years. He'll do it by the time he's 38. That's 40 a year, and he can hit 30 a year in his sleep. You tell him he can't bat right-handed, and he'll hit 30 left-handed."
It's hard to argue with that assessment. Whatever you think of A-Rod's difficulty in winning a World Series (attention: one man can't win championships in baseball, folks!), Rodriguez will surely go down as one of the top five players ever to wear the Yankee pinstripes, and perhaps one of the best ever. Maybe even the best.
(HT: BBTF)
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-26-2007 @ 1:10PM
Jokatech said...
A Rod will be under "Bonds" scrutiny when his talent becomes too much to ignore any further. It's sad. I just let the numbers speak. F the World
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7-26-2007 @ 11:11PM
George B Vieto said...
Alex Rodriguez should be nicknamed Amazing Alex Rodriguez. Hopefully he will win a World Series ring either with the Yankees or any other team.
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7-27-2007 @ 4:03AM
Phil said...
Yeah, he's a great player. Too bad he's clubhouse poison to any team he's ever played for. The problem with Alex Rodriguez is that it's all about Alex Rodriguez. Teams win championships, not players.
There are reasons why A-Rod gets booed at Yankee Stadium and why the NY sports media hates his ass.
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7-27-2007 @ 1:08PM
John said...
I've seen the guys who help train A-rod, and to think he's not 'dabbling' in what everyone else is doing is crazy. Growth Hormone, and Insulin are being used in gallons by these guys becase there is no test for either of them and they are two of the best hormones to use for a literal 'fountain of youth' result. It's a shame, but it's the truth. It's estimated 80% of pro football players are on one, the other, or both. The human body responds to age and over usage by a decrease in anabolic hormones, and an increase in catabolic hormones such as cortisol. The only way to stop that from happening is to enhance yourself chemically. Ever seen A-Rod without long sleeves on, even on the hottest days? They know what they are doing, and as long as they can live with themselves...(kind of hard not to when you get paid $200,000 an at bat)...and they have the money to keep it quiet...at least for a few years anyway........
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7-30-2007 @ 1:51AM
Ed said...
I compare A-Rod to Peyton Manning. Both are extremely competitive, marketable , and just plain great athletes. Also, both were ridiculed for there performances in big games/clutch situations. Finally, Peyton Manning broke out and beat the Patriots and won his first Super Bowl. As a Yankees fan, I would hope the same is awaiting Alex Rodriguez. My opinion on the whole Canseco thing, I think it's a joke. A-Rod is obviousely an impressive specimen, but as long he doesn't go out and hit 80 home runs and his head doesn't grow to the size of the empire state building, I have no doubt A-Rod is clean.
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