What a miserable human being he is, reporting to camp early, working out, taking morning BP and -- for shame -- signing autographs for fans. BTW he worked out with Chase Headley today, who also must be a horrible person for coming to camp early. I read the Sports Section daily, fully expecting to read about what's happening with the team, cringing at the incessant A-Rod bashing. There are so many other legitimately important things to cover in NYY ST camp, like the return of Ivan Nova, who's been throwing bullpen sessions off a mound for some time now, while rehabbing from TJ surgery. Who knew? Can you write about how Pineda looks, or Tanaka? Enough already. Let's move on from A-Rod and concentrate on the team.
3
Red Sox acquire The Panda, Ramirez , Castillo and now Moncada ....response from Yank$ front office: crickets.
Arod, all of New England thanks you for your service. Wishing you many, many more years in the Bronx.
You're the best financial hamstring placed on the Yank$ since they acquired Pavano !!
Arod, all of New England thanks you for your service. Wishing you many, many more years in the Bronx.
You're the best financial hamstring placed on the Yank$ since they acquired Pavano !!
1
He looks kind of chubby and...old.
Hey Bankee fans, enjoy your Reigning Performance Enhancing Drugs Poster Boy! And while you get caught up in the farce of a circus, other teams will begin preparing to win the World Series. Ha-ha-ha!
1
Yankee fans need to be a forgiving lot when it comes to Alex. While his behavior can be described as egotistical and narcissistic, the Yanks need some semblance of his offensive talent this season. It will be most interesting to see how he does. I'm hoping he won't "swing for the seats" but will be a good RBI Man and run producer for a team that needs both.
1
He would not have prevaricated nor made up excuses if he hadn't known that what he was doing was ill-advised. A simple "I did not know" would have sufficed. Everything else he has said makes his behaviors and apologies reprehensible. That the Yankees accept such is even more reprehensible!
1
He lied, but no one died; In the end, the only one he really hurt was himself. And while suspended, he wasn't being paid. While ailing, why weren't the Yankees being more vigilant. Implied complicity? I'm only guessing but didn't they wanted him back as quickly as possible and don't these drugs hasten healing? After all, our national past time is also BIG BUSINESS!!
"I love to compete." Taking performance-enhancing drugs for most of your career tells us the opposite--you are afraid to compete on your own merits so you cheat the fans who love baseball exactly because having thrown and batted a ball as kids, we realize how hard it is to achieve the excellence that exists in the major leagues. Always dishonest. Today's headlines feature Alex and Governor Christie of New Jersey, who a state jusge ruled had broken the law by not requiring state government to fund New Jersey state pensions as he had agreed to do. What a pair for today's news.
2
He sounds like he's in a 12-step program. I hope it works. His character flaws that contributed to his doping and lying could affect him throughout life, long after baseball, unless he figures out a better way.
2
My eyes are bad, but is that a giant funny cigarette ol' A-Roid is lugging?
2
In fact it is.
1
actually, ithink it's his two month supply of roids and hgh, just enough to get him through spring training
1
..car keys
He is still the best player on the current Yankee roster.
3
That may be true, and it's incredible considering the Yankee payroll. The Yankees pay 100 million for old injured guys but Boston pays 60 mil for this young Cuban stud. Why do Yankee fans need to watch all the best 20-25 year olds play for other teams?
So, many whiners here with no humility in their hearts.
Here's a different way to look at this ...
I keep remembering that all along Alex was trying to be a better baseball player by using everything available to him (in some cases, before the substances were banned) and using his own money to pay for it ... An admirable effort.
It was MLB that decided to say these efforts gave those using the PED's an "unfair advantage" (I am not suggesting that isn't true) and banned those substances. The real problem here, for me, is the lying this policy inspired and the unfortunate position these guys found themselves so deep so quickly. We had all admired them for there efforts and the results they achieved. Suddenly they were demons for choosing a path subsequently deemed wrong.
So, now we need to purify sport completely to "even the playing field". No player may take vitamins, use any painkillers, drink protein shakes, drink Gatorade or eat a better steak than any of the other players. No possible "unfair advantage" may be permitted. Only then, will all be right with the (sporting) world.
I just shake my head at the righteousness of so many here who can never know what it was like to be Alex Rodriguez, Mark McGuire. Sammy Sosa or the many other individuals who have done all they could to better their playing abilities.
Here's a different way to look at this ...
I keep remembering that all along Alex was trying to be a better baseball player by using everything available to him (in some cases, before the substances were banned) and using his own money to pay for it ... An admirable effort.
It was MLB that decided to say these efforts gave those using the PED's an "unfair advantage" (I am not suggesting that isn't true) and banned those substances. The real problem here, for me, is the lying this policy inspired and the unfortunate position these guys found themselves so deep so quickly. We had all admired them for there efforts and the results they achieved. Suddenly they were demons for choosing a path subsequently deemed wrong.
So, now we need to purify sport completely to "even the playing field". No player may take vitamins, use any painkillers, drink protein shakes, drink Gatorade or eat a better steak than any of the other players. No possible "unfair advantage" may be permitted. Only then, will all be right with the (sporting) world.
I just shake my head at the righteousness of so many here who can never know what it was like to be Alex Rodriguez, Mark McGuire. Sammy Sosa or the many other individuals who have done all they could to better their playing abilities.
11
At age 39, Babe Ruth, in 125 Games, hit .288 with 22 HR and 84 RBI; numbers A-Rod would be hard-pressed to match. The Yankees ran him out of town. So for all A-Rod's many faults, it's hard to have too much sympathy for the Yankees playing guardians of the baseball galaxy.
1
Ruth's drug of choice came in a bottle! Imagine his numbers with modern day training and nutrition!
2
A-Rod should just move on. Perhaps he and Lance Armstrong can get a gig as a morning disc jockey team blowing smoke up the back ends of morning commuters. Both liars, both cheats, both incapable of admitting the truth in spite of the overwhelming evidence against them it seems a natural fit.
7
When this guy hit 30 plus home-runs in a season, he will be forgiven and Yankee fans will chanting with hero's welcome. what a wonderful world of American past time. 4 times payroll compare to some other team in MLB yet, Yankee fans said Yankee Dynasty? would anybody care to watch auto race between Ferrari and Beetle to see which car will win?
2
He won't bat above .240 and he will hit less than 20 homers.
1
depends on playing time. play him now and then and I'd agree.
Is any one NOT utterly sick of A-Roid already? And the Spring Training hasn't even begun yet!
5
The guy never slugged his girlfriend or wife, as far as we know. Nor gotten arrested for carrying an illegal weapon. Oh wait, that's football and basketball, where the lines are more blurred. Anyway, as far as reports that the Yankees brass were upset about not having received a heads up, it sure couldn't have been because they were busy signing Moncada to a deal. ARod and the Yankees organization deserve each other. Too bad for us fans.
4
I'm sorry... who is this guy again and why should he matter again??
6
Golly, a multi-millionair arrives a full two days early. Now THAT"S commitment.
6
I hope he has a great season with the Yankees.
11
To quiet the doubters (and I have been one), A-Rod needs to publicly commit to unfettered testing throughout the season, with public disclosure of the results. Only then does he stand a chance of having whatever he does on the field/at bat indicate the honesty of the results.
He's still owed $60 million?
He may not be a genius when it comes to getting juiced up, but he (or somebody he hired) sure knows how negotiate a contract.
Let's see if he can earn some of that money. It's far better for the Yankees management to demand performance than just buy him out.
He may not be a genius when it comes to getting juiced up, but he (or somebody he hired) sure knows how negotiate a contract.
Let's see if he can earn some of that money. It's far better for the Yankees management to demand performance than just buy him out.
2
The real story is that A-Rod is the news for Yankees fans today, not Yoan Moncada. This is mismanagement of epic proportions. Mind-boggling, really. A lifelong Yankees fan, I am just about ready to turn the page. I'll give it through spring training, and shut it down forever along with the first decrepit blown-out elbow or knee.
3
Give him a raise.
The early bird gets the worm! Or is it, the early worm, gets the bird?! Nope, that would only be the case, if Alex, was playing for the Orioles!(Nonetheless, I wish him well, even though I'm not even a Yankee fan.).
1
I don't think it's easy being Alex Rodriguez. Sure, most of his wounds are self-inflicted. But who among us can't say the same thing? It would be quite life-affirming to see him capture a glimpse of his former greatness, if only for a night.
25
Lots of people can't say the same thing. I dare say virtually none of them make $57,000 for every hour they perform for their employers. (I don't make that for a whole year of work and I have missed maybe five days of work in the last 20 years due to illness or injury.) His salary is, of course, not Mr. Rodriguez' fault. An intelligent Yankee ownership would not have paid any 32-year old that salary for ten years, come what may. What would be life-affirming would be for Mr. Rodriguez not to hop, skip, jump, dance, saunter, pirouette, tiptoe and meander around his violations. One wonders if he is actually aware of what he did wrong and understands himself well enough to know why he chose to. Indeed, Mr. Waldstein is unable to decipher what Mr. Rodriguez is actually apologizing for and he spoke to him directly. Where does that leave the rest of us?
4
Pix show ARod carrying his bats into the facility. Someone better make sure they are fully inflated......
.....just saying.....
....it's ARod......
.....just saying.....
....it's ARod......
4
As much as I dislike him, he's paid his penalty, far more than the Wall St. criminals whose toxic derivatives crashed the global financial system and sent the global economy into a tailspin.
59
And most of them, still have their jobs and money! And while on that subject, what ever happened to Mr. Teflon, the Bensonhurst whiz and raider, Sandy Weill?!!!
Can we give the guy a chance for redemption?
Others have done worse than soil the Yankee uniform. Yes, he was a jerk during this process. Perhaps, he has been humbled and will work his hardest for a 40 year old baseball player.
We have elected people who have committed crimes and allowed other athletes to murder others. A-Rod should get a chance to redeem himself. Isn't that part of the charm of baseball - repeated failure but a chance for redemption at a given occasion.
This is coming from a Mets fan.
Others have done worse than soil the Yankee uniform. Yes, he was a jerk during this process. Perhaps, he has been humbled and will work his hardest for a 40 year old baseball player.
We have elected people who have committed crimes and allowed other athletes to murder others. A-Rod should get a chance to redeem himself. Isn't that part of the charm of baseball - repeated failure but a chance for redemption at a given occasion.
This is coming from a Mets fan.
33
Everybody thinks ARod needs redemption. Except ARod.....
2
He cheated. He admitted that he cheated. He made an apology. More or less. I am ready to forgive, to move on and watch him play. I cast no stones at Mr Rodriguez.
24
I do. He should pay at least as much as Lance Armstrong. They are simply clones of many other "pro" sports people.
5
A-Rod is a fraction of the sociopath LA is. Who has he threatened over potential perceived betrayals? Who has he strongarmed into joining him in doping?
I mean, A-Rod, like Bonds and Clemens, is a doper in deep denial, but not a complete sociopath.
I mean, A-Rod, like Bonds and Clemens, is a doper in deep denial, but not a complete sociopath.
11
If you don't say why you're sorry -- are you actually apologizing?
15
I think showing up early is a good sign. He realizes what a mess he has made, and I am confident he will do his best to overcome adversity which surely will face him, and just as surely is justified.
Nevertheless, I liked what Girardi said about the matter, and am hoping for the best! We sure could use some offensive production.
Nevertheless, I liked what Girardi said about the matter, and am hoping for the best! We sure could use some offensive production.
20
A-Rod is following a script right now. " Mea Culpa but we don't discuss for what.. If he sticks to this script the whole matter will die down. But then. when has A-Rod kept his mouth shut? If he starts playing well, he'll probably stay out of further trouble. If he doesn't play well, he'll do everything he can to gain attention at any cost. The circus will start.
He will need that.
Who knows which will be more fun. A contending Yankee team or the A-Rod circus?
He will need that.
Who knows which will be more fun. A contending Yankee team or the A-Rod circus?
1
Give him more juice and send him to bat. He will hit home runs and everybody will be happy.
1
Personally, I could care less about who apologized to who and the sincerity of the apologies. This is now past history; it is a new season -America is a wonderful country, you are allowed to re-invent yourself. Rather than obsessing over past history baseball scribes ought to be asking relevant questions such as: given A-Rod has missed an entire season is he in physical shape to play ball; what did he do during his ban to keep himself in professional baseball shape? And a second -how good are his surgically repaired hips, especially the left one; can the stand an entire season, will he need periodic rests? Or in simple terms Qs regarding his ability to play the game at a high level. Yo guys, what I would like to know.
12
I'm so relieved that A-Rod understands why he is loathed. But as an overgrown child, he believes that an apology gives him free rein to do whatever he feels like. It's only a matter of time until he does something else that will be objectionable and I wouldn't rule out his future drug usage.
In the meantime, I don't care that you've never taken grounders at first. Go and take grounders at first. And shut your mouth.
In the meantime, I don't care that you've never taken grounders at first. Go and take grounders at first. And shut your mouth.
6
Yep, exactly. Take some grounders at first, hustle and try to forget about your d....image.
2
He didn't say that he wouldn't play first. He said he had no experience fielding at that position. On the other hand, he is a professional player, so getting into that skill set and mindset should be part of his repertoire.
The only way to tell is to let things play out.
Sometimes people who have blown second and third chances finally come around on the next chance and live up to their potential. Maybe the Yankees will be lucky. It is certainly worth some spring training time to find out.
The only way to tell is to let things play out.
Sometimes people who have blown second and third chances finally come around on the next chance and live up to their potential. Maybe the Yankees will be lucky. It is certainly worth some spring training time to find out.
15
How mean spirited can you be? For crying out loud, this is only a game called baseball. Not life or death!
4