The Yanks lost today and this evening announced that Alex Rodriguez is holding an 11 a.m. press conference tomorrow morning. Which means he is either going to follow Tex and hang ‘em up, or the team is going to release him. Rodriguez had a terrific comeback season in 2015 but this year he has been what you’d expect from a 40-year old.
Going out with a whimper is not rare—it is how most players leave and reminds me of the lede of a story Pat Jordan once wrote about Bobby Hurley:
“For most of us, death will not announce itself with a blare of trumpets or a roar of cannons. It will come silently, on the soft paws of a cat. It will insinuate itself, rubbing against our ankle in the midst of an ordinary moment. An uneventful dinner. A drive home from work. A sofa pushed across a floor. A slight bend to retrieve a morning newspaper tossed into a bush. And then, a faint cry, an exhale of breath, a muffled slump.”
If this is it for Alex, well, I have thoroughly enjoyed rooting for him. Not since Reggie Jackson have I pulled for a star player that is so disliked by Yankee fans. And he didn’t make it easy to root for him always, that is for sure. He was such a social klutz—never mind his tremendous talent—that I felt for him, even when he was being a putz. He’ll retire as the greatest third baseman in Yankee history, like him or not.
He achieved some grace before the curtain fell on his playing days and considering where he was a few years ago that is no small feat.
Simply one of the best of all time. Look at his stats as a 20 year old! Hope he becomes the batting coach for the young-'uns.
A great talent but unfortunately made poor decisions regarding his place in the game. Like Bonds, Sosa and McGuire he leaves, if he does, as a cautionary tale. Blessed with great ability and a real flair he didn't trust it enough to endure the inevitable up and downs that playing the game requires. He has an excellent baseball mind and really has plenty to offer in the future. I wish him well.
Other guys were just as dirty on roads but were never caught. But it was his personality that really did him in and Alex Belth writes it like it is. Jeter gave really boring stock answers to the press but he knew better than Alex. ARod's insecurities were always on full display and masked in bravado.
I liked him more when he played against the Yanks, but I'm also grateful for the last ring in 09.
I wish he could have gone out a little stronger because, I feel bad for the guy a bit. I guess as much as you can for someone filthy rich, handsome, athletic, model humper.
But maybe we are jumping the gun by predicting a parting of the ways tomorrow? maybe they are signing him to an extension?
Why can't they let him try to get, what is it 5 more homers?
We know he can do it. It seems silly and va ery, very bad PR move to let him go when he's so close and the team is obviously out of it.
If I was in New York, watching him chase 700 would be my only reason for buying tickets right now.
If that's the case, I hope he gets picked up by Miami. At least, in their recent reincarnation, they appreciate legends.
I'm thinking that they both had a long talk with Joe and Cash and both decided retirement was the most reasonable and dignified way to handle their situations; both for the sake of the team and to grab some glory on the way out, knowing that their playing time was going to be restricted (or null in Alex's case). A nice touch that they did it back-to-back so that each could have their own day to reflect and be reflected on.
Mark said his body just couldn't keep up anymore. We see that with our own eyes and accept that for what it is with both sympathy and a small sigh of relief for him and us.
Alex is and will continue to be a lot more complicated. Depending on what he says, it could be a soft landing or a final rocky attempt at baseball PR. I cringe at the inevitable questions about his PED use and being asked to reflect on what could have been (though if he ever watched The Fight Over Citizen Kane he could use a few techniques concerning playing to the moment by Orson Welles). I'm quite certain as I think of it that this has been in the works for a while, to which I'm also thinking the team has job for him when the retirement is official. Is there a way he would walk away from $27 million without getting something important in return? I highly doubt it, but of he does it will be some new type of Alex that nobody's ever heard of.
Here's hoping for a retirement announcement as of the end of the season, giving him a chance to get to 700. Hope they are considering something creative with the $$ due next year. Maybe a charitable contribution towards BB? And I'd like to see him as a batting instructor in the spring, and if that eotks, as a batting coach down the road.
A-Rod playing last game on Friday. To be a special instructor. I think this is good. I know some wanted to watch him until the end of the season but personally i'd rather move on. This does that and allows for more call ups I presume.
August 12th. Final game. Reminiscent of Mike Schmidt calling it a career midseason.
From my following on twitter, definitely was the Yankees decision to release him. Still, I do think it's good that he has a role within the organization. The Yankees have been very good about providing special instructor roles for former players.
Yeah, his hand was forced, but he's at least retiring, not being dumped.
Interesting that Cashman was not a party to this. Strictly a Hal Alex deal.
Why not keep him around to season's end? I don't get it. Farewell, Alex. Thanks for 2009. Mospeed.
Huh, so he will get what's owed? $20 million for a year's personal service contract, nice going
[13] yeah. Ultimately it's what he is owed. Which is why he is technically "released" and not retired. Though unofficially I guess he's retired. Though someone on twitter said he left the door open to play for another team.
Wow. Just watched the presser. Tears [he and I].
I hope he get to hit another homer.
Next announcement I want to hear is "Joe Must Go."
I think the Yanks sweetened the deal by letting him leave after Friday. To have him stick around and instruct the younger players as emotional as he must be about this would be tough. This must be rough to only have a few days left, and maybe Joe starts him and he goes on a tear before Friday and gets to 700, now that he knows the future.
I see how some and probably ARod might be upset about being so close to 700, and wanting to give him more time to get there but if it came at the expense of younger players getting AB's, it didn't make sense. It might take 70 AB's for him to hit 4 more home runs. Also the Yanks don't play for personal records at the expense of the team.
ARod was very emotional, and this has to be tough. I don't see him going anywhere else to play, but stranger things have happened.
Plus, next weekend is box office heaven for the Yanks—1996 team gets feted Saturday, Mariano's number retired on Sunday, so why not kick it off right with Alex's farewell on Friday?
It's game time friends. Guess it's worth a look. See if Tanaka-san can end his losimg streak.
[19] Yeah i got distracted but just turned it on. 1-0. Yankees.
HA I forgot who was running and suddenly worried inside the park homer. Then realized he was still running to second.
this whole thing is pretty...wow. would've loved for him to hit 700. i've been reading a lot...even comments at other sites, which i never do. just watched zillo's intro. man, that must've felt like an eternity to alex. he was just sitting there looking so far beyond miserable and completely lost. gonna listen to him speak now, then turn the game on for a minute. really wish he was in the lineup; hope he at least pinch hits later...
k #4 for Tanaka. 2 outs in the third. Good start.
Wow.
Just checking in, from my internet-deprived (or maybe better, 'secluded') Maine island.
This is painful, but I think it's going to be better for all concerned in the long run.
Didi!!!
Yanks seem to strike out or hit it out
Need a couple more hit it outs.
That's a pleasant way to wake up from a nap.
Way t I go tex
Teix!
Tex!!
why the hell did GI Joe send tanaka out for the 7th? good lord. he's really sucked at managing the pitchers this season. feh.
I will miss Mark's defense
I dug Reggie Jackson when I was a kid. Arod's been harder for me to root for -- maybe it's because Reggie was only around for 5 seasons, the Yanks made the playoffs in 4 of them, made the series 3 times, and won 2 rings. Sure, we had plenty of drama with Reggie, but he delivered in the post-season with 12 home runs in 34 postseason games. Maybe if we'd had 5 more years of Reggie's act it would have all gone south.
Anyway, back to Arod, I was glad when the Yanks flipped Soriano for him, particularly because the Rangers remained stuck with a substantial portion of his contract. When he opted-out after the 2007 season, I wanted the Yankees to move on. He was only 32, but could we realistically expect him to maintain great production for 10 more years? Plus, opting out got the Rangers off the hook, which meant the Yanks now had to pay 100% of his contract, not the approximately 60% they had been paying.
I'm proud the Yanks won the 2009 series. And I know that without Alex they wouldn't have done it. Even so, I still wouldn't have brought him back in 2007.
The steroid stuff is a stain on his career, but it seems unfair to me that Big Papi, who was also implicated, remains beloved, and it made Arod an even bigger villain.
I hope he gets 4 jacks this week and gets to 700.
I fucking *loathe* every aspect of Fat Liar and his career. Really hope something comes out on him in the next month...
Glad Napoli is gone.
Alarmis. .. Joe hasn't gotten the message that the season's over. So Tanaka-san goes out, Clippard doesn't get a chance to end the 8th, and DB goes for a 4 out close.
Insurance please
That's two
Leadoff walk. Feh.
Sweet DP!!
And 3. Good job.
Ballgame
Hardly the best third baseman. Little better than Jerry Kenney. I prefer Nettles or Andy Carey.