Comments on: News of the Day – 2/26/09 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/02/26/news-of-the-day-22609/ Development site for Bronx Banter Blog's upcoming look and feel Wed, 19 Jun 2013 04:17:46 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 By: Dimelo http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/02/26/news-of-the-day-22609/#comment-155455 Dimelo Thu, 26 Feb 2009 17:14:20 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=8479#comment-155455 <b>Maybe its my own insecurities and vulnerabilities, but something keeps drawing me back to rooting for the guy. I also wonder how Jeter’s career and legacy would be different had the Yankees not won in 96-00 but instead made the playoffs a lot but lost (a la Seattle). </b> And Bernie's, Paul O'Neil's, Mo's, would all be different today. Maybe its my own insecurities and vulnerabilities, but something keeps drawing me back to rooting for the guy. I also wonder how Jeter’s career and legacy would be different had the Yankees not won in 96-00 but instead made the playoffs a lot but lost (a la Seattle).

And Bernie’s, Paul O’Neil’s, Mo’s, would all be different today.

]]> By: Horace Clarke Era http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/02/26/news-of-the-day-22609/#comment-155454 Horace Clarke Era Thu, 26 Feb 2009 17:10:18 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=8479#comment-155454 This time tommyl beats me. Yes, what he said. [35]. This time tommyl beats me. Yes, what he said. [35].

]]> By: Horace Clarke Era http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/02/26/news-of-the-day-22609/#comment-155453 Horace Clarke Era Thu, 26 Feb 2009 17:09:47 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=8479#comment-155453 [34] Yes, but Diane, that was my point above ... in the Esquire piece, for example (and there are others) the claim from fan-haters and a lot of media is that he wasn't corporate ENOUGH, not guarded and bland enough, he was too direct, too honest, perhaps too MUCH A Rod. So then isn't it to be expected that the guy might, having been tar and feathered, decide he needs to get more like ... Jeter? Or other guys who never give the press ammo? He's just bad at blandness, which is why we DO get bit and pieces to chew up like a wolf pack. Back to baseball. Something caught me by surprise: I thought Giambi was going to DH in Oakland, but no, he's pencilled on the depth charts at 1st base. And that is a BIG foul territory! [34] Yes, but Diane, that was my point above … in the Esquire piece, for example (and there are others) the claim from fan-haters and a lot of media is that he wasn’t corporate ENOUGH, not guarded and bland enough, he was too direct, too honest, perhaps too MUCH A Rod. So then isn’t it to be expected that the guy might, having been tar and feathered, decide he needs to get more like … Jeter? Or other guys who never give the press ammo? He’s just bad at blandness, which is why we DO get bit and pieces to chew up like a wolf pack.

Back to baseball. Something caught me by surprise: I thought Giambi was going to DH in Oakland, but no, he’s pencilled on the depth charts at 1st base. And that is a BIG foul territory!

]]> By: Dimelo http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/02/26/news-of-the-day-22609/#comment-155452 Dimelo Thu, 26 Feb 2009 17:09:11 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=8479#comment-155452 [32] Sorry, socioeconomic issues don't come into play here. I had a very similar upbringing as ARod, so have many of my closest friends. Comparing legal problems to ARod's constant foot-in-mouth disease is not the same thing, or even in the same playing field. Putting one's foot in mouth is nothing more than an inability to read the room and know how to remain as modest as possible, while still clearly articulating your point. ARod can't do that. I used to think ARod was a smart guy. Lately, the more I hear him talk, then the more I am left saying to myself - 'what a dumbass'. Even with his cousin yesterday, the other comment about not knowing which Gene he was going to meet with. He has a talent between the foul lines, other than that he's a human being that seems to have a lot of inner demons that he doesn't have a good grasp of because he's stuck on the ARod image. [32] Sorry, socioeconomic issues don’t come into play here. I had a very similar upbringing as ARod, so have many of my closest friends. Comparing legal problems to ARod’s constant foot-in-mouth disease is not the same thing, or even in the same playing field. Putting one’s foot in mouth is nothing more than an inability to read the room and know how to remain as modest as possible, while still clearly articulating your point. ARod can’t do that.

I used to think ARod was a smart guy. Lately, the more I hear him talk, then the more I am left saying to myself – ‘what a dumbass’. Even with his cousin yesterday, the other comment about not knowing which Gene he was going to meet with. He has a talent between the foul lines, other than that he’s a human being that seems to have a lot of inner demons that he doesn’t have a good grasp of because he’s stuck on the ARod image.

]]> By: tommyl http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/02/26/news-of-the-day-22609/#comment-155451 tommyl Thu, 26 Feb 2009 17:05:50 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=8479#comment-155451 [34] I think that's likely true. But then, I think that Alex started out being a lot more "real" (Tyler Kepner had a nice Bats entry on this awhile back). I have to wonder if some combination of getting hammered in the press and also advice from people like Boras forced him more towards adopting his present persona. I just get the feeling Alex is desperate for approval, especially from older, father type figures and that can sometimes lead him to following bad advice. Maybe its my own insecurities and vulnerabilities, but something keeps drawing me back to rooting for the guy. I also wonder how Jeter's career and legacy would be different had the Yankees not won in 96-00 but instead made the playoffs a lot but lost (a la Seattle). [34] I think that’s likely true. But then, I think that Alex started out being a lot more “real” (Tyler Kepner had a nice Bats entry on this awhile back). I have to wonder if some combination of getting hammered in the press and also advice from people like Boras forced him more towards adopting his present persona. I just get the feeling Alex is desperate for approval, especially from older, father type figures and that can sometimes lead him to following bad advice.

Maybe its my own insecurities and vulnerabilities, but something keeps drawing me back to rooting for the guy. I also wonder how Jeter’s career and legacy would be different had the Yankees not won in 96-00 but instead made the playoffs a lot but lost (a la Seattle).

]]> By: Diane Firstman http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/02/26/news-of-the-day-22609/#comment-155450 Diane Firstman Thu, 26 Feb 2009 16:44:11 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=8479#comment-155450 [29] I totally concur on the second point as well. I understand why A-Rod might choose to think he "needs" all those people around him (media advisors and such). But by the same token, I think the fans would take him more seriously and care more sincerely if he DIDN'T have this "corporate" automaton exterior. I think fans would like to think they are hearing "Alex Rodriguez", not "A-Rod", when #13 talks (to paraphrase Doug Glanville's excellent piece in the Times from earlier in the month). [29]

I totally concur on the second point as well.

I understand why A-Rod might choose to think he “needs” all those people around him (media advisors and such). But by the same token, I think the fans would take him more seriously and care more sincerely if he DIDN’T have this “corporate” automaton exterior. I think fans would like to think they are hearing “Alex Rodriguez”, not “A-Rod”, when #13 talks (to paraphrase Doug Glanville’s excellent piece in the Times from earlier in the month).

]]> By: Yankee Mama http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/02/26/news-of-the-day-22609/#comment-155449 Yankee Mama Thu, 26 Feb 2009 16:40:41 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=8479#comment-155449 A wall between the luxury seats and the hoi-polloi. What, the security men with the chained entrances were not enough? Now, the real spenders won't have to observe our loud, plebian ways. Declassé! I'm tired of A-Rod and Jeter character analysis. Love Scott Raab. though. And, the Igawa line was magic. Apparently, Matsui can barely tolerate breathing the same air as him. I wonder why Cashman didn't consult Matsui or even ask what it was like facing him. A wall between the luxury seats and the hoi-polloi. What, the security men with the chained entrances were not enough? Now, the real spenders won’t have to observe our loud, plebian ways. Declassé!

I’m tired of A-Rod and Jeter character analysis. Love Scott Raab. though.

And, the Igawa line was magic. Apparently, Matsui can barely tolerate breathing the same air as him. I wonder why Cashman didn’t consult Matsui or even ask what it was like facing him.

]]> By: RagingTartabull http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/02/26/news-of-the-day-22609/#comment-155448 RagingTartabull Thu, 26 Feb 2009 16:36:38 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=8479#comment-155448 [29] couldn't agree more on the second point, when you take into account A-Rod's upbringing from a purely socioeconomic standpoint its a minor miracle that he's as stable and successful as he is. There are a lot of people who grew up in similar circumstances who have run into much more serious problems in adulthood than being a "phony" or having a "big mouth". [29] couldn’t agree more on the second point, when you take into account A-Rod’s upbringing from a purely socioeconomic standpoint its a minor miracle that he’s as stable and successful as he is. There are a lot of people who grew up in similar circumstances who have run into much more serious problems in adulthood than being a “phony” or having a “big mouth”.

]]> By: tommyl http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/02/26/news-of-the-day-22609/#comment-155447 tommyl Thu, 26 Feb 2009 16:35:10 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=8479#comment-155447 I'm a huge, huge Jeter fan, but I have to say in regards to that Esquire piece, I can feel a bit of Alex's pain. I've seen people in my line of work get a lot of credit for things because they happened to have worked with famous person X, whereas other people don't. I've seen jobs come and go for people because of things like that. If you ever feel you're on the wrong end, it can be maddeningly frustrating to see someone you think you've done better work than get accolades, honors etc. when you feel you deserved it more. I don't think A-Rod was bashing Jeter in that piece, as much as just showing some frustration that he'd done likely more than Jeter, but since he hadn't had the good fortune to be on the Yankees during their run, he got much less credit. I agree he shouldn't have said it, but I can see the frustration and I don't think it was meant as a slight on Jeter the person or player. I’m a huge, huge Jeter fan, but I have to say in regards to that Esquire piece, I can feel a bit of Alex’s pain. I’ve seen people in my line of work get a lot of credit for things because they happened to have worked with famous person X, whereas other people don’t. I’ve seen jobs come and go for people because of things like that. If you ever feel you’re on the wrong end, it can be maddeningly frustrating to see someone you think you’ve done better work than get accolades, honors etc. when you feel you deserved it more.

I don’t think A-Rod was bashing Jeter in that piece, as much as just showing some frustration that he’d done likely more than Jeter, but since he hadn’t had the good fortune to be on the Yankees during their run, he got much less credit. I agree he shouldn’t have said it, but I can see the frustration and I don’t think it was meant as a slight on Jeter the person or player.

]]> By: Diane Firstman http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/02/26/news-of-the-day-22609/#comment-155446 Diane Firstman Thu, 26 Feb 2009 16:30:54 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=8479#comment-155446 [27] Could you imagine the lunacy of The Bronx Zoo days if the Internet and bloggers were around back then? [27]

Could you imagine the lunacy of The Bronx Zoo days if the Internet and bloggers were around back then?

]]> By: tommyl http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/02/26/news-of-the-day-22609/#comment-155445 tommyl Thu, 26 Feb 2009 16:29:16 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=8479#comment-155445 Eh, sometimes I just think that some of his teammates get more annoyed than angry with him. I dunno, he puts his foot in his mouth a lot and he's insecure so he cares what other people think. That drives him to work harder than anyone else and be the best he can be. There are worse afflictions out there. As per the Jeter/A-Rod comparison. I think people have to take into account their very, very different upbringings. Derek comes up from a very solid, stable and well educated family. Alex comes from a poorer, broken home, basically without a father. There's just no way you can expect Alex to be as secure. Eh, sometimes I just think that some of his teammates get more annoyed than angry with him. I dunno, he puts his foot in his mouth a lot and he’s insecure so he cares what other people think. That drives him to work harder than anyone else and be the best he can be. There are worse afflictions out there.

As per the Jeter/A-Rod comparison. I think people have to take into account their very, very different upbringings. Derek comes up from a very solid, stable and well educated family. Alex comes from a poorer, broken home, basically without a father. There’s just no way you can expect Alex to be as secure.

]]> By: Horace Clarke Era http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/02/26/news-of-the-day-22609/#comment-155444 Horace Clarke Era Thu, 26 Feb 2009 16:24:23 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=8479#comment-155444 Raging Tartabull got in there before me (love that nickname, btw). The advantage of short posts! Raging Tartabull got in there before me (love that nickname, btw). The advantage of short posts!

]]> By: Horace Clarke Era http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/02/26/news-of-the-day-22609/#comment-155443 Horace Clarke Era Thu, 26 Feb 2009 16:22:54 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=8479#comment-155443 I'm with [10] and the seconding by Alex at [21]. The swing between 'too much info, big mouth' and 'too phony, unreal, obviously coached' is amusing and even absurd. Back to the microscope issues, and the target painted on him from when he went to Texas for the best offer (the horror!). Jeter, like Wayne Gretzky was in hockey, are/were masters at saying NOTHING but platitudes, banalities, so uncontentious that - at times - the story has been what they DIDN'T say. ("DJ didn't defend Alex Enough! Are the Yanks In Trouble?") Mattpat, it feels off to compare personal relationships with being the captain of a ballclub. If DJ's personality is such that he'll never forgive or forget a teammate's 'error', he shouldn't be captain. I don't think that IS his personality, mind you. (And, in case anyone thinks I'm dissing him here, Jeter has long been my favorite player in the 'Not Mo' mortal person division.) I also share the amusement above at Hank and Reggie Bar offering sage advice on discreetly handling the media. Which of THOSE two is the straw that stirs the drink? On reflection, (join me, OYF) I think the younger generation here just never lived through REAL clubhouse + media craziness. Just mull Reggie + Thurman + Billy + George in the Bronx Zoo. I’m with [10] and the seconding by Alex at [21]. The swing between ‘too much info, big mouth’ and ‘too phony, unreal, obviously coached’ is amusing and even absurd. Back to the microscope issues, and the target painted on him from when he went to Texas for the best offer (the horror!). Jeter, like Wayne Gretzky was in hockey, are/were masters at saying NOTHING but platitudes, banalities, so uncontentious that – at times – the story has been what they DIDN’T say. (“DJ didn’t defend Alex Enough! Are the Yanks In Trouble?”)

Mattpat, it feels off to compare personal relationships with being the captain of a ballclub. If DJ’s personality is such that he’ll never forgive or forget a teammate’s ‘error’, he shouldn’t be captain. I don’t think that IS his personality, mind you. (And, in case anyone thinks I’m dissing him here, Jeter has long been my favorite player in the ‘Not Mo’ mortal person division.)

I also share the amusement above at Hank and Reggie Bar offering sage advice on discreetly handling the media. Which of THOSE two is the straw that stirs the drink? On reflection, (join me, OYF) I think the younger generation here just never lived through REAL clubhouse + media craziness. Just mull Reggie + Thurman + Billy + George in the Bronx Zoo.

]]> By: RagingTartabull http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/02/26/news-of-the-day-22609/#comment-155442 RagingTartabull Thu, 26 Feb 2009 16:21:56 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=8479#comment-155442 and I apologize in advance for using the Jim Rome-ism "smacktalk" but I really couldn't think of anything better. and I apologize in advance for using the Jim Rome-ism “smacktalk” but I really couldn’t think of anything better.

]]> By: RagingTartabull http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/02/26/news-of-the-day-22609/#comment-155441 RagingTartabull Thu, 26 Feb 2009 16:20:18 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=8479#comment-155441 [24] I'm a lot like that too, I just think some perspective is needed. What Reggie said about Munson in Sport was, IMO, a thousand times worse than what A-Rod said. "Munson can only stir it bad" was a direct attack on Munson and his ability not just a player, but a captain. Saying "Jeter is never your concern" is more akin to a little competitive smacktalk, not the character assassination many Jeter-backers made it out to be. [24] I’m a lot like that too, I just think some perspective is needed. What Reggie said about Munson in Sport was, IMO, a thousand times worse than what A-Rod said. “Munson can only stir it bad” was a direct attack on Munson and his ability not just a player, but a captain. Saying “Jeter is never your concern” is more akin to a little competitive smacktalk, not the character assassination many Jeter-backers made it out to be.

]]> By: Mattpat11 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/02/26/news-of-the-day-22609/#comment-155440 Mattpat11 Thu, 26 Feb 2009 16:08:11 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=8479#comment-155440 I guess I just have a personality like Jeter. I can be fiercely loyal to my friends, and I expect the same back. When I don't get it, we're through. I guess I just have a personality like Jeter. I can be fiercely loyal to my friends, and I expect the same back. When I don’t get it, we’re through.

]]> By: rbj http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/02/26/news-of-the-day-22609/#comment-155439 rbj Thu, 26 Feb 2009 16:02:58 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=8479#comment-155439 [17] Diane's News of the Day post. [17] Diane’s News of the Day post.

]]> By: RagingTartabull http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/02/26/news-of-the-day-22609/#comment-155438 RagingTartabull Thu, 26 Feb 2009 16:02:13 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=8479#comment-155438 I always felt that the furor over the Raab piece said more about Jeter than it did Rodriguez. Sure he put his foot in his mouth there, but Jeter held that grudge for <i>years</i>. Ya gotta get over it a little bit after a while, its not like A-Rod killed his puppy or anything. I always felt that the furor over the Raab piece said more about Jeter than it did Rodriguez. Sure he put his foot in his mouth there, but Jeter held that grudge for years. Ya gotta get over it a little bit after a while, its not like A-Rod killed his puppy or anything.

]]> By: Alex Belth http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/02/26/news-of-the-day-22609/#comment-155437 Alex Belth Thu, 26 Feb 2009 15:51:50 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=8479#comment-155437 10, I agree with this. I don't think there was anything that Alex said in that Scott Raab Esquire piece that was off-base, and he also said some nice things about Jeter too. 10, I agree with this. I don’t think there was anything that Alex said in that Scott Raab Esquire piece that was off-base, and he also said some nice things about Jeter too.

]]> By: Chyll Will http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2009/02/26/news-of-the-day-22609/#comment-155436 Chyll Will Thu, 26 Feb 2009 15:46:03 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=8479#comment-155436 Okay, I will leave you guys alone now... (as I wonder how this all translates to the fans back home in Japan) >;) Okay, I will leave you guys alone now… (as I wonder how this all translates to the fans back home in Japan) >;)

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