For the Love of the Game or Money?!?

Let’s remember as I write this blog that I am a diehard, born and bread Yankee fan.
Scott Boras is known as a cut throat agent who gets what his client wants and more. But recently the New York Yankees and Alex Rodriguez gave this agent a “gut check.” Now let’s be serious as much of an egomaniac Mr. Boras is and just as much is true of ARod if not more so, the gut check I referred to isn’t nearly as bad as some would say either of them deserve. The hit that Boras and his reputation (some disagree) took is merely nothing compared to his ability to get the job done, I mean he still gets a check for 14 million dollars and this time he was told to stay home for the negotiations. I would rather have seen Alex fire Boras and publicly apologize for the ridiculousness that came from the negotiations and decisions that were made back before the World Series even began. Alex might not have gotten his $350 million that was said to be what he was demanding but instead he receives $27.5 million plus incentives for the next ten years (some call him “Pay-Rod”).
I guess the main concept i am trying to get at is whatever happened to “for the love of the game.” I know it is too much to ask to bring the big business that sport has become back to the reality of the everyday person. Don’t get me wrong sport is a tapped market that has unlimited potential for growth hence the unlimited potential to make more money. I think of the days when I was younger playing little league not thinking of the almighty dollar and the ultimate long term contract. It would be naïve as a young man to grow up and not start to think about providing for one’s self or family but the greed that is blinded by what some call the increase in living costs among other things has become ridiculously absurd.
With player agents and player associations we will never see the necessary change to alter what is now. Though if it were possible to clear the slate and start from scratch one of the more optimal scenarios for player contract would be a base salary that is the same for every player at a particular position with incentives to be earned per game per season. Some say the Torre incentive based contract was an “insult” but even as someone who praises Joe Torre for what he did in pinstripes I still believe on the business side of things it is what have you done for me lately and with the ridiculousness of contracts incentive base contracts seem to be the only true way to leave the absurdness that is the size of contracts from continuing to grow.
As a fan of baseball I welcome Alex back to the pinstripes and the Bronx, as a fan of the Yankees all I ask is that on and off the field you show respect for the game, the uniform, and mostly yourself by striving to become a better athlete, teammate, and ultimately a better person!

Steinbrenner Stepping Down

The New York Yankees were eliminated from the playoffs in the first round once again. Immediately following this, George Steinbrenner, owner of the Yankees, believed changes had to be made starting with him. He has decided to step down and give the day to day operations to his children Hank and Hal. They seem to be inheriting a franchise with many clouds of uncertainity.
Joe Torre refused their offer following the first round exit and has recently signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Alex Rodriguez has decided to opt of of his contract and pursue the free agent market due to the uncertainty around the locker room. Jorge Posada (catcher) and Mariano Rivera (closer) are also free agents that are yet to be signed by the team.
The dynasty that was around in the 90's seems to be falling apart and no one has any idea which direction this organization is heading. They have signed ex-Yankee Joe Girardi to be manager and have a young, promising pitching staff to lead the way for next season. Many elements of their team are unknown, but everyone is waiting to see if they have what it takes to win their 27th World Series.

Leave A-Rod Alone

With Alex Rodriguez coming off one of the better all around seasons in baseball over the last few years, we are all still being bombarded by one thing--his failures in the playoffs. Could ESPN and the rest of the media be kind enough to talk about the season he just put together, instead of his "failures" in the playoffs? Could someone please focus on the great playoff match-ups and not the stats of a player who has had a few bad playoff games? I guess that is too much to ask from a network like ESPN, who at a time where it should be promoting the game of baseball and its great playoffs, will be breaking down one of the more marketable players in the game today.

Checking ESPN.com the day before the Yankees were set to begin the playoffs, and on the front page of the site as the main headline of the day was an article titled King of Gotham?...The next month will determine if baseball's best player conquers New York...Or abdicates the throne. Instead of focusing on how A-Rod helped the Yankees reach the playoffs, we have to hear again how A-Rod has had a few bad postseason at bats.

Now ESPN is not the only one to blame, as the New York media has played a role in bashing A-Rod. I feel that without the constant scrutiny on A-Rod, this topic would never have come about. Does anyone remember A-Rod's first playoff series as a Yankee where he single handedly helped the Yankees beat the Twins? Of course not, because that wouldn't generate the buzz that his failures produce. I truly feel that all the negative media attention has turned some Yankee "fans" against A-Rod. The true fans don't hate A-Rod, but others are easily swayed. My argument not only applies to A-Rod's play on the field, but also on off the field matters. Is there a reason why we have to know when A-Rod hangs out with his family in Central Park without a shirt or why we need front page news when he was reportedly being unfaithful on a road trip?

I guess my whole point of this is why the media needs to jump on this guys back for a few hitless games. Sure, he's the games highest paid player and probably it's most recognizable player, but it is baseball, which is not the easiest sport to play. Is the pressure getting to him? It's possible, but I don't think there would be this enormous pressure on him if it weren't for the constant attention the media puts on him, both on and off the field. And I don't buy that it's the pressure of New York that is getting to him. No other player has had to deal with the stuff that A-Rod deals with. I think a lot of people may be taking for granted what a great player A-Rod is. I really believe that instead of bashing the guy, they should try to market him as a great representative of Major League Baseball like a Derek Jeter or a Vladimir Guerrero or a David Ortiz. Why can't A-Rod also be in that mix? To me, there is just no need for stories on A-Rod's failures to be shoved in our faces anymore. I think everyone should just leave the guy alone, let him play, and let him be the star that Major League Baseball should want him to be.

Speaking about marketing, the negative attention that is constantly put on A-Rod can't help the marketing of him as a great player. I feel that the negative attention is mostly unnecessary, as there are bigger and more important things that the media should be focusing on. No one in the media pointed out the bad statistics of other Yankees in the playoffs--all the blame went to A-Rod. If I were MLB, I would try my best to get this guy viewed in a more positive light to maximize his value to the sport. Having a guy like A-Rod, in a market like New York, should be an easy sell, but so far it hasn't. If A-Rod stays in NY, MLB should really try to market this guy better than they do now, or they will miss the boat and probably regret it.