Comments on: The Most Hated Man in New York (Until he Homers)

By: Dimelo

Dimelo — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 02:43:18 +0000

I have very similar views on A-Rod as The Hawk. I don’t go to Yankee games to boo A-Rod, I want him to do well, but to act like people shouldn’t have high expectations of a player who has those same expectations of himself, who signed the most lucrative contract in the sport – henceforth putting a target on his back. The booing comes with the territory. Tough for A-Rod if he doesn’t like it! Tough for fans of A-Rod if they don’t like it! Tough for Hank Stein!

In my office, the person who makes the most money is my manager, he makes awful decisions and hasn’t made a great decision since I’ve been working with him. I often boo him because I have high expectations of him.

By: The Hawk

The Hawk — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 17:51:24 +0000

[23] What are you talking about, I never said I booed anyone.

By: rbj

rbj — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 17:14:59 +0000

[19]“I say you can’t compare what they’ve meant to their prospective teams. I can think of a number of reasons why, but as I stated before, one need not go beyond contributing to championships. Even if Ortiz only got one postseason hit en route to a WS title, that’s one more than A Rod.”

So do you boo Melky, Cano, Damon, Matsui as well? Heck, the team hasn’t won since O’Neil retired, so boo Jeter, Andy and Mo too. Did you boo Moose as well?

Alex worked his ass off after the hip surgery to get back early to the team. I’m going to focus on rewarding that hard work. Historically the team scores 1 more run a game with A-Rod in the lineup and has a far better record. Would I want my daughter (actually nieces) to date him? No, but you could probably put most pro athletes in that category as well.

Papi does have a much more fan friendly personality to be sure, which would be a reason to pull for him, but I don’t see the opposite of that requiring boos. Even Barry Bonds got cheers at home.

By: benvolio

benvolio — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 17:03:30 +0000

No A-Rod fan I. I certainly wanted to be when he came to town, but he failed to win me, and he now never can, regardless of how clutch he might get. So I’m satisfied when he comes through in big situations, but it doesn’t inspire in me the toe-curling delight that I experience when other players do it. When he fails, my first response is of course, again.. If I happen to be in the upperdeck at the time, well, then I might boo. Because that’s some fun, is what that is.

So if that’s a referendum on my IQ, well, there it is.

I often think about something I read a couple of years ago about NY fans. In New York, you cannot hide who you are. NYers, exposed to all manner of freaks and wannabes, real gods and false ones, have seen it all, and whoever you really are will be recognized ere long. We demand our team to do their job well, period. (We booed Jeter during his slump of ’04, as I recall.) I don’t think the same can be said about Boston fandom; I think Simmons’s article acknowledged as much without saying it outright.

By: williamnyy23

williamnyy23 — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 16:53:47 +0000

The pervasive ignornace of so many Yankee fans is very troubling. At least no one can argue that this is another flaw of the new Stadium. If anything, I was kind of hoping that if there was a different crowd, the ones who think it is a good idea to boo the team’s best player would have been left out. Alas, stupidity knows no boundaries.

By: Raf

Raf — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 16:42:14 +0000

Even if Ortiz only got one postseason hit en route to a WS title, that’s one more than A Rod.

Which is probably why 10 & 13 have been mentioned. Right or wrong, people equate rings with clutch. I’m sure you’ve heard the argument as well that Ortiz has more rings because he is more clutch than Rodriguez.

Anyway, I’m indifferent at best, I don’t have a dog in this fight…

By: The Hawk

The Hawk — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 16:22:56 +0000

[17] Actually I stated pretty clearly that I would not engage in a “clutch” debate:

There is no way I’m getting into a debate about being clutch when we only have to look at who has helped win championships.

I get frustrated repeating myself, but I will try and be as explicit as possible. This is the last go ’round for me though:

The original entry contrasts fan reaction in Boston to Ortiz with fan reaction in New York to Rodriguez. I say you can’t compare what they’ve meant to their prospective teams. I can think of a number of reasons why, but as I stated before, one need not go beyond contributing to championships. Even if Ortiz only got one postseason hit en route to a WS title, that’s one more than A Rod.

Go look at the Bronson Arroyo page on Baseball Reference. In sponsored with this quote “One of the 25; we’ll always be grateful.” That’s for Bronson Arroyo.

By: RIYank

RIYank — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 16:14:25 +0000

I think there’s a case to be made for Ortiz’ value to the team, actually. I’m too ~~lazy~~ busy to look it up, but I’m pretty sure Ortiz had an astronomical Win Probability Added over the past five years (esp. if you don’t include the current year).

By: Raf

Raf — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 16:02:43 +0000

[15] Then you’ll probably have to clarify what you mean regarding the statement you made, because it isn’t difficult (as shown) to think you’re referring to “the ring count” and “clutchiness”

By: The Hawk

The Hawk — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 15:36:24 +0000

[15] Sorry, that was a little rude.