I imagine the overall (at least the “loudest”) consensus is that Alex Rodriguez and the “Twelve Men Out” are a disgrace to the game, to America, and to all that is sacred or holy. Monday’s Baseball Tonight podcast featured a conversation between host Buster Olney and The New York Times‘ Tyler Kepner that took a strong look at Ryan Braun. I wish there was a transcript available, but you can listen to it at their website. Most of the conversation deals with how much Brewers ownership and fans have been let down by Braun’s selfishness and arrogance.
There are so many permutations to this unseemly stuff: are the players accepting their suspensions to be applauded for talking their punishment or are their ulterior motives (free agency, contract status, etc.)? Should those on post-season contending teams have appealed, therefor being allowed to continue to play in the interim? And what does this say about the teams? It seems that money and success come before ethics. Why else would the Yankees allow A-Rod to play (and I’m sure there are legal protections, given his own contract status that prevent them from tossing him overboard altogether)? Because they’re hoping he can give them that bit of offense that’s been so lacking this season and keep them close in the AL East.
The Times‘ Harvey Araton wonders why the Yankees have been so relatively accommodating:
Much like A-Rod, they needed attention and a compelling new story line in an effort to reverse plummeting television ratings and attendance in a fast-deteriorating season. His debut Monday night brought the highest Yankees rating on YES this season. And they could certainly use a few extra base hits if he could provide them in their faltering pursuit of a wild-card playoff spot.
Hence, Rodriguez’s return, for however long it lasts, has become a microcosm of baseball’s steroid era dating to the late 1990s. Like the drug-enhanced and now-disgraced blokes who pumped millions into the owners’ pockets, it is a marriage based on self-interest and without much regard for overriding principle.
Rodriguez getting hit in last night’s game against the White Sox. (John Gress/Reuters).
Since Rodriguez has appealed, he will be allowed to play (as I understand it) until an arbitrator makes a decision, which will take time (unless things get expedited). So it’s conceivable that not only aren’t the Yankees saving the salary that A-Rod would be forfeiting, the actually might have to pay him an additional $6 million! That’s the bonus he would get if he hits 13 more home runs to tie Willie Mays’ career mark of 660. (How cool/appropriate would it be if Rodriguez managed 19 homers?) Of course, the right thing to do would be be for Rodriguez to give that to charity. The Brewers are using the money they would have paid Braun for the rest of his season to give every fan that comes to a home game this month a $10 voucher for food and/or merch.
It was refreshing to hear the latest episode of Hang Up and Listen, Slate’s sports podcast, dubbed “The A-Rod vs. Everyone Edition.” While everyone is dog-piling on the beset Yankee, Josh Levin, Stefan Fatsus, and Mike Pesca actually have some things to say on his behalf, kind of like the defense attorney who really knows his client is guilty but has to see that his rights are upheld anyway.
When Rodriguez returned to action on Monday, I had some evil thoughts: Maybe the White Sox pitchers will throw at his head. Maybe he’ll pull a hamstring or sustain another injury that will finish him for the season (Derek Jeter has been on and off the disabled list several times since his return on July 11). Wouldn’t that solve everyone’s problem?
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