The Most Hated Man in New York
Mike Clark
Issue date: 9/7/05 Section: Perspectives
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A popular reason amongst fans for the dislike of A-Rod is the idea that he simply does not come through in clutch situations. Really? 2004 ALDS: .421 BA, 1.213 OPS. I can name more clutch performances. A game winning home run against Curt Schilling. A game winning hit in that comeback victory against the Royals. A double down the third base line to start the game winning rally against the Mets. A game-tying home run against Cleveland. Still not satisfied? Send me an e-mail, I'd love to report more clutch performances by A-Rod.
Many fans say that for the size of A-Rod's bank account, he should be putting up better numbers. Let's see...third in batting average, first in homers, third in RBI, fourth in runs scored, third in walks, second in on base percentage, first in slugging percentage and first in OPS. What do you want? The Triple Crown? A .400 batting average? A-Rod is putting up MVP numbers. I would say that he's earning his paycheck, wouldn't you?
People say that Alex Rodriguez has personality flaws. While A-Rod has done some things that I'm sure don't want to appear of any of his scrapbooks (a karate chop comes to mind), for all who think that A-Rod is simply a bad guy, I urge you to read Rick Reilly's article in last year's Sports Illustrated about following A-Rod around for a day. In the article, A-Rod seems to be a down-to-earth guy who is determined to be better than he was the day before. Plus, if you want to use the argument that A-Rod is too flawed of a person, I have a here a rebuttal.
It seems as if Yankee fans have been very receptive towards Gary Sheffield since joining the Yankees. This is Gary Sheffield we're talking about. Gary Sheffield, the man who has been named many times in the Balco case. Gary Sheffield, who once said that he just didn't try hard in Milwaukee in hopes to be traded. Gary Sheffield, the man who stupidly told a New York magazine that "he knows who the real leader on the team is", a shot at Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez. Gary Sheffield, the man whose form in catching fly-balls leaves all Yankee fans holding their collective breath. The man looks as if he's not even trying in right-field sometimes. And he's the more beloved figure in New York?
Listen Yankee fans: I know you want him to do this because of his salary, but Alex Rodriguez is not going to be hitting any five run home runs. He will not hit a home run in every at-bat. Guess what? He's human. But to think for one second that the Yankees would be contending for a playoff spot this year without Alex Rodriguez on the team would be foolish. In their greatest time of need, A-Rod has come through for the Yankees. He's my MVP. He should be yours, too.