For some reason I was thinking a lot about Alex Rodriguez this weekend, in a purely sports related, non-homosexual way (though his hair and sunbathing tendencies do peak even the most staunch heterosexual's interest). First, there was the whole Madonna, Guy Ritchie divorce that shockingly looks like it will be mean and messy (no way Madonna is a mean, vindictive b*tch, right?). Of course, the reports still insist that A-Rod and the Queen of class herself are an item, although no one has gone on record confirming such rumors.
Then, there was Manny Ramirez's proclamation that he was "going to the highest bidder," which is not exactly taken out of the "always say the right, if obviously false, thing to the media to avoid controversy" play book. And finally, there was the report that Derek Jeter joined Roger Clemens on the sidelines of yesterday's Texas game - the first indication that Clemens was, in fact, alive and that someone was willing to be within three counties of the right hander.
Why did all of this get me thinking about A-Rod?
Because I am 30 year's old right now and, by the time Alex is finally ready to retire, I will probably be about 38 or 39. That's my entire 30s as a fan right there. That's a decade of watching games and whether you love A-Rod or hate him, there is no question that he will remain one of the most important pieces of the Yankee offensive machine for that length of time.
So, how does A-Rod shed his choking tendencies and become a force in big games and big situations?
He has to embrace his inner asshole.
What do I mean by inner asshole, you may ask.
That's simple. See, I am of the belief that A-Rod is truly just a prick of a person, maybe not as bad as a Barry Bonds or a Gary Sheffield, but in that discussion. Let's face it, he did cheat on his wife, evidently while she was pregnant, with Madonna; he opted out of his contract in the middle of a World Series game to try and capture as much attention for himself as possible; he blamed all of his bad PR on his agent, Scott Boras, after having been complicite in all of his actions; and he has already establish a reputation as a "team of one" that is disconnected from the rest of the Yankees. He just doesn't seem like the sweetest guy in the world.
Yet every action A-Rod takes seems to be deliberate, a if he has a little note card in his locker that says "what would Jeter do?" and he adhers to it's principles each time. A-Rod tries desperately to always say the right thing. He has stock answers for questions, and none of them ever really seem to be sincere. He is utterly obsessed with making sure that each movement he makes on the field is for effect, and that HAS to hurt when you're up at the plate, with two outs, 9th inning, bases loaded, down by a run.
So instead of trying to pretend he is something he isn't why not just embrace his true self, his true asshole self, and go with it? Look at Manny. Manny is a jerk. He's a scumbag who openly gave up on Boston, purposely dogged it to get out of town, and even made a few jokes out of his deliberate tanking along the way. Why? Because Manny doesn't try and pretend, he just walks out there and performs. He isn't worried about the headlines for tomorrow or what talk radio is saying about him. Hell, he might not even know talk radio exists. Instead, he does what he wants, says what he thinks, and performs at the highest of levels because he isn't encumbered by anything other than hitting a baseball as high and as far as possible. Yes, it means we see what a true asshole he is, and when he comes out and blatantly says that he will go to the highest bidder as a free agent, we know he means it. But, on the field, it seems to work for him.
On the flip side, look at Jeter. Now, Jeter is Mr. Professional, a man of infinite cliches who never lets too much out of the bag. Yet Jeter, far from being an asshole it would seem, is obviously comfortable in his own skin. Buster Olney of ESPN pointed out that there are "several image conscious players" who wouldn't have been caught dead with Clemens on Saturday afternoon. Was it the right thing to do or the wrong thing to show up with Roger the Law Dodger? I have no idea but what we do know is that Jeter didn't care a bit. Why? Because like it or not Jeter and Clemens are friends and Jeter obviously didn't care much about image when he went to that ball game on Saturday. Think A-Rod would have ignored the possible tabloid headlines and gone to the game? Hard to imagine, isn't it.
Look, A-Rod's calculated response to every thing makes him difficult to root for. I, personally, would find it far easier to cheer the guy on if he were just himself. Talk some trash to the other team. Acknowledge that you're freakin better than the players on the other side of the field because, hell, we know you believe that and you're probably right. Go out with some not-too-pure looking women. Stand at home plate and admire your shot. Have an ego that is blasted away because some obese, semi-retarded know-it-all (Mike Francesa) is gonna get on you about it the next day. Just be yourself, even if that means you're not the most likeable guy in the world. Guess what buddy, you're trying your hardest to be the most likeable guy in the world and everyone hates you. Embrace that.
I don't know about you but I happen to believe that such openness would relax the guy a little bit. If you don't care what EVERYONE else is saying then you will just play your game and, if the dick does that, no one, not Manny, not anyone, can match his talent.
No comments:
Post a Comment