Major League Baseball blasts Boras, A-Rod
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Oct 29, 2007 
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Here is what Bob DuPuy, MLB’s chief operating officer, said to the Associated Press in an e-mail:
“We were very disappointed that Scott Boras would try to upstage our premier baseball event of the season with his announcement. There was no reason to make an announcement last night other than to try to put his selfish interests and that of one individual player above the overall good of the game.
“Last night and today belong to the Boston Red Sox, who should be celebrated for their achievement, and to the Colorado Rockies, who made such an unbelievable run to the World Series.”
Selfish interests. Those two words sum up A-Rod pretty well. Blame Boras all you want, but he works for Alex.
He deserves more punishment!
Arod was never a good fit. The Yankees can do better with their bucks. My source tells me the Yanks will go strong after Santana now that they have a big contract off the books. This Girardi team will be fun to watch. We’ll see more baseball and less drama.
I wouldn’t say they “tried.” I would say they succeeded in upstaging the Red Sox and the World Series.
Ack, I’m sick of spending another second on these two pigs.
Both should be banned from the game of baseball entirely. (I’m only half-kidding…)
Fine Arod & Boras 1 million each
Oh I definitely agree, I was upset that he left, upset that the Sox were going to win the game, but even more than that I was mad that they would make an announcement during the game. No team, no business man, and no player, not even A-Rod is above the game; its disgusting.
wow. glad that mlb said something, because they are right on.
It appears to me that Scott Borass and pretty boy need some pr help fast!
Any chance of Borass putting together a press conference in the coming days to defend their decision and try to change the perception of Arod?
Not often you read such harsh words coming from that bureaucratic office at MLB. They must be really ticked (as they should.)
And yes they should be punished. I’m not sure what, most probably a fine, but BOTH should be punished.
A-Rod is touted as having a great respect for the game and the history of the game. He obviously doesn’t.
He better not think of wearing a Yankees cap into the Hall of Fame. People so easily manipulated should never be given a lot of money. ARod is an example of addition by subtraction
The truly galling thing is that, despite all this invective and vitriol, some team is ultimately going to open the coffers and give Pay-Rod and Boras exactly what they want. I only pray that, if the Yanks do nothing else this offseason, they DON’T go back on their word about offering Rodriguez a deal. WE DON’T NEED HIM AT ANY PRICE!!!
Good for DuPuy. I would have like for the Yankees to have been less diplomatic in their statement. I appreciate that Brian Cashman needs to put on a persona, but I’m glad someone gave those 2 sleezeballs the truth.
As a big A-Rod fan i can olny say I’m extremely disappointed on him. But as a Yankee fan i think they should not even look back at him! I’ll repeat again how about Andy Phijjips for 3rd Base?
Not that I am condoning what Arod and Boras did, but let’s keep in mind who Bob Dupuy works for. As an MLB representative, he is effectively a shill for the owners. And all of them have it out for Boras because he costs them money.
Let’s see if any players speak out. Particularly Sox or Rox players that are repped by Boras inc.
As much as we love the game, lets remember that to the players is is “Us against Them”. And the “us” is the players and the “them” is the owners. The fans and the Game aren’t even in the equation.
As a big A-Rod fan i can only say I’m extremely disappointed on him. But as a Yankee fan i think they should not even look back at him! I’ll repeat again how about Andy Phillips for 3rd Base? [Sorry for my errors.]
The timing of that announcement still puzzles me. It made no sense based on their rationale of needing more information about Yankee plans when they could have waited 10 more days. It was a PR move that backfired – but I’m not sure what they hoped to gain. If Arod had any guts he’d call Boras out over this… but we know that won’t happen.
I would love A-Rod forever if he came out with a statement tomorrow saying he had no idea Boras was doing any of this and blah blah blah and he is very disappointed in his agent for his actions.
Totally won’t happen.
Booooooo.
Michael T – Yes, Gammons mentioned how a lot of Colorado and Boston players were miffed at A-Rod/Boras, but will any of them express that displeasure to the media or the public? I wonder…
Color me impressed by MLB for taking a stand!
Firing Boras is the only thing that would make me respect Arod
We just need to make sure that next year the starting shortstop for the AL All-Star team is Derek Jeter, not A-Rod. Of course, if A-Rod plays 3b at his new squad, I’ll be willing to punch Mike Lowell’s ticket.
Remember, 08 All Star game in NY. Can imagine the reception Arod gets, especially if its first appearance back.
Rebecca – “Color Me Impressed”…A fantastic song by the Replacements! I just love it when people use that phrase…
Michael T,
Here’s what the players think. From Peter Gammons’ column on ESPN:
“In many ways, it’s sad, because Alex Rodriguez is a great player and a good guy. On the field after the Red Sox clinched their second world championship in four seasons, I had two Rockies players beg me to rip A-Rod for his attention grab, one Red Sox player said he’d walk away if asked about Rodriguez and more than 10 other players reveled in laughing at the iconic $30 million-a-year player who doesn’t know what it’s like to be Jon Lester or Dustin Pedroia, Ryan Spilborghs or Bobby Kielty and play in a World Series. ”
PayRod and Bora$ got what they deserved. Less actually.
“He better not think of wearing a Yankees cap into the Hall of Fame.”
The announcement was a stupid move… a dunce cap is more appropriate.
Geez, I hadn’t thought of Andy Phillips. I like Andy’s bat a lot more that Wilson Betemint’s. It’s still not enough though.
“one Red Sox player said he’d walk away if asked about Rodriguez”
That was probably 38pitches.com
Andrea – Even if Pay-Rod made such a statement, would you really believe him? I mean, I know he had some people snowed with all his “I love NY” crap this year (though not yours truly, I have to say), but I think it’s pretty clear that this was A-Rod’s call. If he went back on it now, it would only be a disingenuous attempt to save himself from the considerable backlash that the announcement has created.
Alex has always been a money-grubbing swine and a businessman rather than a ballplayer. And there’s only so long you can go dressing up a pig before the real pig underneath shows through…
Kevin
October 29th, 2007 at 7:00 pm
Firing Boras is the only thing that would make me respect Arod
that is the most interesting thing i’ve read all day on this blog. nice idea kevin, because i hate a rod a lot right now.
Chi Dave–how come you never come round by the blog any more?
I haven’t heard the song, but I listen to bands I guarantee you’ve never heard of, so it’s not really a huge thing. I’ll take a listen soon!
nate
so do I
I hope Arod’s new team is paying attention.All this hoopla
over a player only raises the buying price.Slimey Boras will gouge them for every penny>
I’ve said this before no pitcher in postseason fears Arod at the plate. So let him get his “in season ” home runs,and fizzle out in postseason,as as usual.
The yankees never won a WS with him. Could any team be more happier than Texas,besides the Yankees,their off the hook if he opts out?
Quick fix, Loretta to a one year deal to play either 2nd or 3rd.
Great idea Kevin,but ARod is as much at fault as Boras.
PayRod will be the first player inducted into the Hall of Fame with a dollar sign on his cap as insignia.
Here’s the incription;
“Alex Rodriguez. All time home run leader. Never played in a World Series but opted out of 4 contracts and set the world record for highest paid athelete in history.”
Good riddance to that choking fraud and the oily encyclopedia salesman who leads him around by a leash. I guess those comments during the wildcard celebration about having “found his home” and not being able to imagine playing anywhere else weren’t exactly 100% sincere. I, for one, was totally fooled.
Guarantee he goes to the NL, most likely San Fran. He doesn’t have the stomach to face the abuse that’ll rain down on him here. And Boston. And Texas. And Seattle. And Toronto.
Come in off the ledge all you crybabies already forfeiting the ’08 season. Once we add a 20 hr 3rd baseman (Lowell, Crede, Beltre) and a 20 hr 1st baseman (Pena, Konerko, Helton) who’ll even notice him gone?
I’m looking forward to the 18-25 game jump in the standings that flushing this neurotic phoney historically brings a franchise.
There has to be something more to this.
Boras and ARod are too smart to let a supposed PR disaster like this happen.
The only thing I can think of (as strange as it sounds) is that ARod has not formally opted out, but has said that he “intends” to opt out.
Once I see or hear about the paperwork, I will believe it. Unless there is some ulterior motive here, this was a very dumb thing to do.
There has to be something more to this.
Boras and ARod are too smart to let a supposed PR disaster like this happen.
The only thing I can think of (as strange as it sounds) is that ARod has not formally opted out, but has said that he “intends” to opt out.
Once I see or hear about the paperwork, I will believe it. Unless there is some ulterior motive here, this was a very dumb thing to do.
“I love NYâ€? crap this year.”
So true, it’s just about as genuine as Hilary Clinton’s declaration that she has “always been a Yankees fan.”
I admit it, he fooled ME. But remember the saying, fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me. I won’t be fooled by this fool again.
Phillips and Betemit could be another possible platoon at 3B. I think Betemit certainly deserves a shot to be the 3B against lefties. When you look at the available options, most are expensive (either in terms of contract or the players it would take to acquire them). I firmly believe a platoon is the way to go at 3B.
Let him go .arod is a loser what has he won. He is nothing but trouble . He is a curse to us. Lets all go foward and let him whatch us in the world series.He will never hit in the post season goodbye loser
Hank Stein has said some silly things, but this is not one of them:
From SI.com
Hank Steinbrenner said the team left messages with Rodriguez, and “we really wanted to meet with him.”
“We wanted him to stay a Yankee. We wanted to let him know how much we wanted him,” he said. “The bottom line is … do we really want anybody that really doesn’t want to be a Yankee? How the heck can you do that? Compare him with (Derek) Jeter. Jeter, since he was a little kid, all he ever wanted to do was play shortstop for the Yankees. That’s what we want.”
It sounds to me that the paperwork has been completed and has been turned in to MLB and the Yankees. If that is so, its clear that A-Rod’s Yankee days are over. Sad that it came to this after one of the greatest seasons by a right-handed Yankee batter.
I agree that A-Rod’s numbers are irreplaceable. But, even with fewer runs scored, the Yankees can still win #27 next year. Ask Detroit, Boston, Chicago, St. Louis…. its the hot pitching in the playoffs that wins titles.
Ours hasn’t been hot. If we get to the playoffs with hard throwers, our chances of having hot pitching and winning #27 will increase dramatically.
I feed sorry for A-Rod to have such immediate personal needs outweigh the legacy that could have been his as a team player and leader instead of “just” a player with possibly the greatest individual stats.
Gee, for once in a great while I agree with MLB.
Boras does work for Alex, but I think he would have told A-Rod to sit on the news for a day.
I’ve tried to make the following comment several times:
I used to be a big, big ARod supporter. I wanted so badly to believe what he said about wanting to stay in NY. If he’d opted out 10 days from now, citing uncertainty about Posada, Mo and Andy…I might still have believed him. But refusing to even HEAR the team’s offer? Refusing to wait to give them a chance to re-sign the guys he claims to be concerned about? BS. He never wanted to stay. They announced early so that Boras could get in Theo’s ear about the Sox picking up ARod to replace Lowell. If Alex was still under contract with the Yanks for 10 more days, that’s 10 days that Lowell’s guys have to talk to Theo during which Boras can’t.
The thing that frustrates me most is that the team offered to work on trading him so he could leave, but both sides could get something out of it. Now, the Yanks get some salary relief, draft picks and a giant hole they need to fill. If he’d let them trade him, at least they could have gotten a top AAA 3B prospect and some pitching.
Jerk.
Kudos to MLB for having the guts to call it right!
I used to be a big, big ARod supporter. I wanted so badly to believe what he said about wanting to stay in NY. If he’d opted out 10 days from now, citing uncertainty about Posada, Mo and Andy…I might still have believed him. But refusing to even HEAR the team’s offer? Refusing to wait to give them a chance to re-sign the guys he claims to be concerned about? BS. He never wanted to stay. They announced early so that Boras could get in Theo’s ear about the Sox picking up ARod to replace Lowell. If Alex was still under contract with the Yanks for 10 more days, that’s 10 days that Lowell’s guys have to talk to Theo during which Boras can’t.
The thing that frustrates me most is that the team offered to work on trading him so he could leave, but both sides could get something out of it. Now, the Yanks get some salary relief, draft picks and a giant hole they need to fill. If he’d let them trade him, at least they could have gotten a top AAA 3B prospect and some pitching.
Jerk.
It appears Hank was raised right!
I might be able to understand fans being emotional about A-Rod opting out but players, major league baseball and sportwriters need to take a page from Cashman’s book. Good luck to him, moving on. Not sure any of those same people would like their peers and critics to get involved in their business matters should the opportunity arise in the future.
Trashing A-Rod now simply shows, in his view, that he made the right choice in opting out and that NY City only showed superficial love that changes right away. In fact, the first thing Hank Steinbrenner mentions on A-Rod opting out is comparing him to Jeter. I’m sure that bothers him deeply inside.
The past three years I’ve followed the Yankees purely because A-Ming was pitching for the team, but I’ve gradually become familiar with the entire team, and have become a fan of the team, not just a fan of my countryman. The Yankees should be an organization of class. Its fans shouldn’t be firing insults at A-Rod. Baseball is business, and he saw the opportunity to lead a better baseball career somewhere else. We should thank him for his contributions, because in large part, were it not for his offensive numbers, the Yankees might not have made the playoffs at all this year.
The timing of his announcement obviously shows no class on his part. We can be disappointed, but we show no class if we think he “betrayed” us in a sense and fire away insults like Gay-Rod or Pay-Rod or whatever. I think we need to show class.
It’ll be funny if no team wants A-Rod to go in to HofF in its cap, and he has to do a Tampa gig at the end of the career to get enshrined as the first Devil.
The only rationale that I can think of for the timing is that opting out will piss out the Yankees so they thought of appeasing them by announcing at a time when Red Sox were about to win.
The fine for Boras and A-rod should be: collusion against them be legal.
Anyone know where I can find the Boras/Kay interview.
pat,
If I were greedy,lying, elf centered prima dona like ARod I’d expect the critisism when I go back on my word. Also, how do you rationalize them not even listening to the Yankees’ offer? He would have made over $220mil in 8 years. Alex Rodriguez is a money hungry whore. He gets no benifit of anyone’s doubt. Why do you think they boo him in Seatle and texas?
In response to an earlier post about A-Rod wearing a Yankee Cap into the Hall of Fame….That gets decided by the Hall not the player anymore.
I never thought In my life that Id have more R E S P E C T for .38pitches than for A-Fraud!!
Like I said yesterday….The Yankee Clubhouse Attendant should immediately issue #13 to Carl Pavano and then issue #45 to Phil Hughes(cuz he likes having a 5 in his number).
Total lack of respect to Baseball,Redsux,and Rockies doing what Borass did….Doesnt the Commish tell teams to not to make major announcements (manager changes) during the WS.I guess during the game is OK….just not on an off day!!!
Pete, your blog’s success has definitely outpaced lohud’s server infrastructure. Of course, the way we keep treating your blog as a set of forums isn’t helping:-)
Perhaps it’s time for lhblogs.com to get a forums section? It might lead to better performance…
Wei Lin – Well written response. However, I think most of us are mad because of the fact he did this in such a classless way.
If four days from now A rod released a statement saying he was opting out, this would be completely different. But he made announcement during the World Series! He didn’t even get a chance to talk to the yankees about their offer.
As far as the insults – you have to admit they are kinda funny.
I’m glad MLB spoke up on this issue… as much as I dislike the Red Sox, Sunday night was THEIR night, and Arod and Boras acted like two petulant children who weren’t happy about not recieving enough attention. If baseball is a three ring circus, then Alex and Scott Boras are only happy if able to occupy all three rings.
And kudos to Hank Steinbrenner. If Alex truly doesn’t understand what it means to wear a Yankee uniform, if he doesn’t get it, he never will.
Wei Lin, you are right. He definitely deserves to be criticized, but let’s be a bit mature about it.
You know, I might not exactly like the Sox, but I certainly respect the players and what they’ve accomplished, but they deserve their time in the spotlight. Every news outlet seemed to spend more time on the Yankees developments instead of talking about the World Series that just so happened to end last night. Remember that, ESPN? (Although Peter Gammons has a good piece on his blog right now that has some information on the Sox I didn’t know.)
Anyways, since I know no one else will say it, hats off the the Red Sox. They earned it.
(I kind of wish the Yankees had the kind of team chemistry they have.. and the pitching except Gagne.)
Good for MLB to say something, what they did was disgusting. That money grubbing whore Bor-ASS said on Kay’s show that he sent in the papers to MLB but didnt expect anyone to see it. They intended people to find out Monday morning. Like someone is supposed to believe anything that comes out of that mans mouth. Its Arods fault, Borass works for him he is the one that lets Borass put him on the leash.
Good for MLB, Boras ‘s timing was a slap in the face to the RedSox and the Rockies. One question, Why did ESPN’s radio host and Yankeee radio man Michael Kay say on his show today that for the last couple of months that David Wright has been taking ground balls at 2nd base?? Maybe A-Rod does love NY, maybe he just doesn’t love the Yankees
MLB cannot do anything else in response to Boras’s antics. But the owners can. The Yanks should be the first to declare a 5 year moratorium on negotiating new contracts with Boras. Others should follow.
Just read this on a Yankee message board
* Hey guys/gals, not a troll but my fiance is a Red Sox fan. Just wanted to share with you the sentimates of the crowd after John Henry got off the bus and swung the trophy around for photo ops: the crowd of 2K strong broke into chants of “Don’t Sign A-Rod”
LOL NO ONE WANTS THE PUNK!!
The Yankees will and I say will try to negotiate with A-Rod
…bet the farm!!
Wei Lin,
I wrote this on another website, and hopefully it gives you some perspective on the feelings of Yankee fans:
“Folks, don’t be confused: as a Yankee fan, I’m not pissed off about A-Rod leaving because (a) A-Rod and his wife are uncomfortable with the NY media scrutiny; (b) A-Rod wants to have a back porch where he can play with his daughter during the off season; (c) A-Rod prefers to play in a less pressure packed situation.
I can buy all those things if A-Rod weren’t conning us all.
I’m pis sed off because A-Rod and his Svengali bold-facedly lied to the Yankees and to us Yanks fans (e.g., A-Rod opted out because in 10 days it wouldn’t be clear what the Yanks situation is, but A-Rod wants to keep the lines of communication open; I feel like I’ve finally made it in NY, etc.).
I will say one thing: Cashman’s position about not negotiating with A-Rod if he opted out may well have been a negotiating ploy. But it’s a ploy that has very much become a rallying point for the anger of Yankee fans at A-Rod’s duplicity, and will make it extremely difficult for Yankee management to back track.
Unless A-Rod already has a monster offer wrapped up, having the Yanks out of the bidding cannot possibly be good for A-Rod’s chances….. (and if the Yanks do end up participating in a bidding war, I suspect it will be to drive up the price).”
Viking Coach I used to have respect for David, but reading that it is gone. Why the hell has he been taking grounders? Does he know something we don’t?
I heard that Kim Jones heard that Alex knew 2 months ago that he was opting out. This makes it all the more interesting.
Man, I’ve never wanted to kick someone in the nuts so hard… I’m amazed at the animosity I feel towards A-Rod after last night. Losing Clemens wasn’t nearly so bad. Man, was I a fan before, and man am I not a fan now. I’ll never hope injury on someone, but I do hope the rest of Arod’s career is mediocre, mundane, and in no way noteworthy. I hope he never plays another October, and never crosses the 700 HR line. Man this is disappointing.
Wei Lin,
I appreciate what your saying. But baseball isn’t just business for the fans. The game was this country’s national pastime for 100 years. People are passionate about it.
When the game’s best player on not 1,not 2,but 3 occassions turns his back on his team’s fans in a never ending chase for for money he deserves scorn. This is about greed,pure and simple.
If you want to think of baseball in business terms, then Alex Rodriguez is the Enron of baseball.
Arod had admitted to being a Mets fan growing up.
No offense, Wei Lin, but the fans are entitled to air their grievances.
As for showing Alex Rodriguez “superficial love,” as you put it. I have stated previously that I didn’t want him on the team to begin with, but he won me over when a lot of people were booing him all while he was trying to get that first single, or walk. I felt sorry for him and he won me over. But I DO feel betrayed and I have every right to say so.
Announcing you are opting out during the World Series was low class. If teams have to ask special permission from MLB to make major announcements, you would think an agent and his player would do the same.
And for the record, I was born into being a Yankees fan by my grandfather on my mother’s side. I am not a fairweather fan. My favorite player is Bernie Williams. I was upset that he didn’t get to come back but it is a business and I understand that. But Rodriguez and Boras couldn’t even give the Yankees two seconds to listen to their pitch. And citing the reason for opting out because he didn’t know what Jorge, Mariano, or Andy were going to do is an outright LIE.
So please don’t preach to us about how we should act with class. I know you mean well, but the majority on this board have been lifelong fans and we feel betrayed.
Well, I think this will set things up well for Joe Girardi and his “small-ball” style. Great pitching and contact hitting is what will take the Yanks to the next level. If the Steins let the “baseball people” on the Yanks do their job – we’ll have a real team next year. Screw A-Rod – he gave up his chance to be a great Yankee.
Well if they do try to negotiate with him, then the Yankees would then be liars and hipocrites.Oh you know Borass is certainly going to call Cashman before A-Fraud signs with the Angels/Cubs/Dodgers/Mets…he did it with Beltran.
STICK TO YOUR GUNS CASHMAN
Dont even answer the call….they wouldnt even call the Steins back.
Chicago Dave: I know you asked a while ago but I was up and about…I would believe him if he came out and was all “shame on Boras, I had nothing to do with it, I heart NY,” if and only if he dropped Boras as his agent.
Like I said, wouldn’t happen. But I’d love him forever if it did. can you imagine if he did though? Came crawling back. We’d have him right where we wanted him!
You really can’t be too surprised that Arod decided to opt out with Boras as his agent and Arod needing to go to Boras’s house after the season. With all the money Boras has made off of Arod, he’s probably named the guest wing of his mansion after him (the ingrate estate). But what bothers me most, is that he walks away and all we get is two compensatory draft picks.
Drive high fives Christine!
“the ingrate estate”
I love it.
Boras/ARod = Sid & Nancy
Sooo evil, it’s almost sexy.
A-ROD SHORT STOP
MIKW LOWELL 3RD BASE
BOTH IN RED SOX
Seems to me that we all need to chill out. Arod is probably leaving because he was not comfortable with the Yanks, not because of money. Do you really think the Yankees would’ve been outbid for his services? Arod wanted out; maybe he grew tired of the friction with Jeter, maybe the spotlight in NY was too intense, maybe he knew the whole issue of his performance (or lack thereof) in the post-season would never go away. At any rate, he, like all of us, has the right to choose where he works.
The timing of the announcement was pathetic. But his play over the past 4 years was not: 2 MVPs, and two other excellent years. He always hustled, never asked out of games, and played nearly every game for 4 years. Yes, his post-season performance was not consistent with his regular season numbers, but the Yanks wouldn’t have made the play-offs for at least two of the past 4 years if not for him.
He played hard, and played well. That’s all I can ask of a player. The rest is business. Ease up.
There is no way on earth that Arod goes to Boston. The players and mgmt don’t respect him and would never get into a contract like that. They’ve just proved they dont need a distraction like that.
Its no coincidence that Arod hasn’t fit with the three teams he has been on. I was 100% Arod supporter from day 1 since he got here. I never booed the man 1 time. I rooted for him the hardest. I cannot wait until he comes back next year and 55,000 are booing him as loud as they can. I look forward for that day.
Thanks, Drive 4-5!
Dr. Acula, how are your Photoshopping skills? I bet you could come up with some great stuff!
Not gonna happen there buddy
“Boras/ARod = Sid & Nancy
Sooo evil, it’s almost sexy.”
We can only wish they end like Sid & Nancy.
I didn’t see the Boras interview but was wondering if he was asked about the timing of the announcement on A-Rod and his answer if any.
christine – wow, nicely said. we do welcome new fans, but i agree that a lot of us are lifers
I’m sure Sox fans would love to have Slappy McBlue Lips on shortstop. As Arod is commonly referred to on Sox blogs since his run in with Varitek.
BobS: announcingin the middle of the clinching game of a world series game, particularly one in which you are not involved, that you are opting out of your contract, is not business.
As far as Im concerned any player that doesnt want to wear pinstripes…I dont want him.Alex lied to all of us making us believe he was happy here he just was counting down the days.Id love to see him with the Red Sox….he would destroy them from the inside out.Anyway theloss on offense means no more glove minded 1b(Jason get to working out)We need a RH bat(Crede maybe?)
Boras will hoodwink someone into paying Alex $30M over 8 years…of that, I have no doubt. I also strongly think Boras already has a deal not on but under the table waiting for Alex already.
This is something Barry Bonds would have done…
I love that baseball opened its mouth and said as much.
What a jackass…Alex, you will never be bigger than the game.
Phil,
You are absolutely right, but money ain’t all that is important as the Yankees are starting to learn.
Money is all that is important to Alex Rodriguez.
You know what…f*ck them both. Arod would do best to retire. No team or teammate can trust him now. When Bonds broke the HR record we were hoping Arod would be the heir apparent…someone to bring dignity. Well he has assumed the title now…a two faced, surly, lying, self centered SOB who cares about himself and not the game.
Congrats Mr. Rodriguez…here is your mantel…you earned it.
As far as we true Yankees I worry not. Maybe our hitting is not as good…as “Bombers” but what’s wrong with some NYC history. No not Ruth or DiMaggio…but stickball? Hit and runs, squeeze plays, stealing bases…SMALL BALL!!! With the new pitching (Joba, Ian, Hughes) and veterans (like Wang and maybe Pettite) we can shut down opposing teams in production. As far as 3rd…Philips, Duncan, Betemit or a trade/acquisition.
I’m sorry Torre and Donnie are gone but maybe we need the change. I too got too used to the Yanks making it every year…but I remember the 80′s and the Pine Tar game. So I know losing. I remember Boggs being the classic photo on the horse when we won the WS. Umm reality check…HE WAS A SOX before we got him.
Give me home grown talent, give me intelligent spending, and give me a team without the drama of PAYRod and I will show you the pride, power, ability, desire, and history and legacy of what the Yankees stand for.
JoeG you have a hard road ahead but you know what it is to be a Yankee. I applaud you, I applaud Cashman (for not caving), I applaud MLB (for bashing two money whores).
Ladies and gentlemen THIS is the new start of the Yankees…not of superstars…not of drama…but of MEN…of Sultans and Clippers and Iron Horses. Many people say this is a painful transistion…I say “Welcome Home!”. This is the new Yankees…with some smart trades and good coaching and a new skipper…welcome to another 13 post seasons…and at least five WSC. In the next 10 years we may beat Yogi’s record.
Good night and good luck.
i think i like a lot of red sox players more than a rod right now. wow, never thought i’d say anything like that…
Gotta love that Hank once again sends a salvo to Arod my comparing him once again to jeter and that he will never be like Jeter
You can feel betrayed and air out your grievances with thoughtful opinion.
We don’t need 100+ comments about how gay A-Rod is next to just 20 insightful ones. That’s all I’m saying.
(I’m a lifelong Yankee fan, always will be even if the Yanks were to stink up the place for the next decade. My dad and grandpa had a Yankee pennant on my wall before I understood baseball.)
wrong, wrong, wrong, Peter Petri Dish, all blame must be on A- R o d and A- R o d alone.
No one is bigger than the game.
That’s why I love the game so much.
There is only one god for Alex, and the is Benjamin Franklin and only when he is on the face of a bill.
Andrea-
I agree the timing of the announcement was poor. But let’s face it, it screwed the Sox’s night, so what are we so angry about? And the timing isn’t what’s pissing us off is it? Everyone’s angry because he is leaving. If he announced that he was staying during the WS we would have all loved it.
Giambi, Mussina, Matsui, Damon, even Reggie and Catfish, all left their teams for ours. And we didn’t think any less of them. Now Arod leaves and that makes him a jerk in our eyes? I think our reaction is hypocritical. Haven’t you ever left a job you didn’t like for something better? Just because we have an emotional attachment to players and the Yanks doesn’t mean the guy deserves this vitriol. Everyone’s acting like scorned lovers. Relax. I’ve been a Yankee fan for 40 years and this is just one episode in the history of the club. We’ll get over it, and so will the team.
Thanks, Nate.
I get tired of people saying how we are crybabies. No, we are not, we are fans (whether they are winning or losing), but we love and respect our team and we are entitled to say how we feel. Like I said before, my favorite player is/was Bernie Williams. I was mad the Yankees wouldn’t take him back this year, but I got over it. I still love the guy, he is the epitome of class — someone Alex Rodriguez could
learn from.
As for liking Red Sox players, I am headed that direction myself and I am genuinely happy for them. Now I would rather it be MY team, but it wasn’t. Doesn’t mean I am going to junk my Yankees gear because of it (although I do have a #13 shirt I need to unload!) Every time David Ortiz speaks, I like him more and more. Now Manny Ramirez, eh, the jury’s still out on that one.
Wei Lin,
I live in Taiwan, and have only heard Wang’s nickname “Jian Zai”. I read the Chinese newspapers, so where are you getting A-Ming from? Just curious.
$30 million x 8 is pretty close to $231 million the Yankees were about to offer.
Detroit? Have fun in the Motor City, bro. If the team stinks, you’ll be irrelevant.
All is well…the sun will rise tomorrow…Life goes on…the world does NOT revolve around baseball, Boras or A-Fraud……GO YANKEES in 2008…with WHATEVER TEAM we get to root for……OPTIMISM ! Ring Number 27 in 2008…WE CAN DO IT !!!
Is Torre on Letterman tonight, together with A- R o d? ? ?
Ya, I love that Hank said that. It just feels good to have these voices in the organization stepping up to the plate. No need to insult the guy, but merely say that he is not welcome anymore if he doesn’t want to be around.
A-Rod will never be like Jeter. Stats and numbers and all that are nice, but the rings are what count.
And I totally agree with that sentiment about liking Red Sox more than A-Rod right now. Hard to swallow, but I like Papi far more than Alex now.
you gotta love how objective some yankees fans are being….maybe if you hadnt booed him out of town for having an “off” year, he wouldnt have given us the finger in an opt out year when you still blamed him for the postseason even though jeter and wang were more to blame for the failures in the playoffs….
Why are we so slow with the updates. Did Joe agree to a contract? Will the press conference be held tomorrow.
Thing is, Mussina and Giambi and Damon etc weren’t trying to portray themselves as bigger than the game.
Well, at least as far as I remember, anyway…
By all means, correct me if I’m delusional…
“Last night and today belong to the Boston Red Sox, who should be celebrated for their achievement,”
i could care less what bob dupuy thinks about celebrating the red sox. i celebrate nothing. i agree with boras that no one is going to know the direction of the yankees in the next ten days. does anyone on this blog know that posada is going to be a yankee instead of a met? anyone know that pettitte is going to stay? cleveland has a very good front office and i’m sure rivera is looking pretty tempting right now. anyone know rivera is going to stay a yankee? boras’ position is not unrealistic. no one ,including peter a. and everyone on this blog, has a clue what the yankees are going to do in the next month.
the world doesn’t run on hank’s schedule. posada is the one who’s next going to be a problem for the yankees. he saw the writing on the wall how bernie was treated and he is going to make sure that it doesn’t happen to him. is posada’s position boras’ fault too ?
kunal, unfortunately I have to agree with you to a degree. I believe that Yankee fans need to lighten up on the booing of players. Do fans think that the players are going to hear the boos and be inspired to play better?? Booing should be reserved for guys who don’t give 100% on every play. That said, ARod took the least graceful and least respectful way to handle this. He didn’t thank NY for the opportunity and say thanks but not thanks. he has hidden behind his agent and completely mishandled this.
kunal, unfortunately I have to agree with you to a degree. I believe that Yankee fans need to lighten up on the booing of players. Do fans think that the players are going to hear the boos and be inspired to play better?? Booing should be reserved for guys who don’t give 100% on every play. That said, ARod took the least graceful and least respectful way to handle this. He didn’t thank NY for the opportunity and say thanks but no thanks. he has hidden behind his agent and completely mishandled this.
Rebecca – Sorry, I was stuck in traffic driving home from work…so I was away from the blog for a bit! Anyway, my copious apologies for not visiting your blog more often. I’ve had some unwanted distractions going on that have kept me from doing much blogging anywhere…
That being said, I’ll make it a point to drop by your blog again soon!!! Please forgive me!
Re: Christine – I appreciate the response and for letting me on the perspective of lifelong Yankee fans. I’m obviously on a different emotional level because of where I come from, but I like learning about different views and different opinions. In no way was I trying to defend A-Rod’s integrity either.
Re: Drive 4-5 – Baseball is also Taiwan’s national sport and our little league team is just one of the evidences for our passion for the sport. I also understand that there are similarities and differences between the kinds of passion between our two cultures. I’d write something emotional for people that write “trade Wang he sucks”.
Anyway, I voiced my opinion because of this type of fan behavior that has rubbed me the wrong way. I will use Johnny Damon as an example. Before he left Boston, he was an icon, he won a WS championship with the team, for the city and fans loved him.
And we all remember that he signed a FA contract with us.
Boston feels betrayed, and brands him a traitor. He gets boo-ed when he returns to Fenway. He, in turn, says that leaving Boston was the best career decision he ever made.
This kind of chain of events is, in my opinion, tragic and I understand that it’s probably part of the sport, the culture. Now, A-Rod didn’t win a championship with us, and it’s not like NY City loved him like Boston loved Damon. Nothing being completely analogous, you should see some of the similarities. (I don’t want to go into the details/differences about the method they left or what not because that’s not my point) Divorces happen, fans are entitled to vent their anger like Christine and much of the rest of the fans here have echoed. There’s no reason to show compassion, but it just sits better with me not to boo a player that helped the club. I’m soft
I do not boo at Sheffield and I will not boo A-Rod when he steps up to the plate at Yankee Stadium. Again, thanks for replying.
Arod needs every dollar he can get.. His wife will end up getting half when she divorces his stripper-loving ass!!
randy L – how have the yankees mishandled the Posada situation? Posada should know that if he stops playing well, the Yankees will look to find a catcher who can. In my opinion, they could have let Bernie go a year earlier. The Yankees (Torre) begged Bernie to stay and at least try to play his way onto the roster. Loyalty is one thing but when it starts to have a major negative impact on the team winning…. I think the Yankees have handled the Posada situation just fine. They will end up having to pay much more for Jorge than they would have if they signed him earlier, but Jorge has earned it and the Yankees will be very happy if he stays.
Re: Stef
That’s usually what my parents refer to him, so that became the way I addressed him. I was aware of Jian Zai but that sounds very “song(2)” to me.
kunal, Arod was not the first player to be booed, others before him, had to learn to accept it, overcome it and did eventually and then find their way to Cooperstown. Before free agency when there was no other choice you had to endure. Jackie Robinson, Hank Greenberg, and even Ted Williams was booed often at Fenway. There was no other option but to endure. Roger Maris though not in the hall was booed, his hair fell out from the stress during that great 1961 season. It is now a convenience for players to be able to move on to a new location a new team, but not for the booing but for more money.
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/ne.....;type=lgns
i dont care whether he apologizes or not – he’s still a jerk
ChiDave–Personal stuff is way more important. Sometimes I’d do well to remember that, too!
That DuPuy showed some cojones, possibly Commissioner-sized cojones.
Booing is part of the game, and has been since the early days. Heck, people used to boo Ty Cobb mercilessly, and they booed Ruth, Gehrig et al. It’s not exactly a new invention, nor are New York fans unusually cruel. Passionate fans of teams in every sport in every country around the world have been known to boo players that have “helped” their teams. Get over it already…
I don’t know how you can criticise Boras for upstaging the World Series yesterday without criticising the Yankees for doing the same today with the Girardi announcement. Remember, the COO said that last night AND today belong to the Red Sox. The Yankees should have waited till Tuesday, and they’re every bit as guilty as A-Rod and Boras.
Do you think ARod watches VH-1s “I Love New York” ?
If booing A-Rod is what drove him away, then he shouldn’t have jedi mind tricked us into thinking he would stay. He was in love with being a Yankee all season, then didn’t even hear what they had to say. That’s my main problem. If he hasn’t made all those little proclamations that he was comfortable in NY and overcame all this adversity, I wouldn’t blame him one bit for leaving. NY fans and NY media never gave him any reason to feel comfortable in New York. But he claimed to be. And then he ditched us.
Wei
The differences between Damon and A-Rod are that Damon’s contract was up while A-Rod opted out of his deal, and the Yankees demonstrated an interest and a willingness to offer A-Rod an extension and he did not give the Yankees the chance for that.
paulaner, please… dont be an idiot. should detroit have waited to trade for renteria? the yankees waited until the series was over. they have alot of moves to make and they want to make them asap. dont compare this to the magnitude of arods mid-game announcement.
Rebecca – Thanks for understanding! My “personal stuff” is still going on, but I’m trying to get on with my life, nonetheless. Definitely check out the Replacements when you get a chance! You might like ‘em!!! They started out very punky, so if that’s your thing then check out their earlier albums like “Stink,” “Sorry Ma,” or “Hootenanny.” They got poppier as they went along, so their later albums are much more refined, but you might enjoy those as well. Just check Amazon and you’ll be able to see (and sample) all their releases.
Personally, “Let It Be” (nothing like the Beatles’ album of the same name!) is my favorite album by them, so maybe check that one out first.
Re: Mike R.
Again, I said the two are not completely analogous and it was not my point to talk about the differences between A-Rod and Damon’s situation. I emphasize how a player is loved –> a player is hated chain of events.
Wei, Damon was also not offered a contract from Boston (if he was, it wasnt close to market value). He even went back to Boston before accepting the Yankees offer and they told him they had no interest.
paulaner = Sox troll
Okay well, I’m done talking since people are losing sight of my point. Good night!
They should both be fined by MLB.
So, how long will the Girardi negotiations take to wrap up? What do you all think?
a little sensitive Wei?
I’m guessing they are hashing out the coaching staff Dave, I’m sure Joe is delighted to be the manager and the money issues are all aceptable
P.S. – Any word yet on the Yanks’ intentions re: Molina? If Posada bails because of Girardi (which I’ve read is a possibility), they’re REALLY going to need Molina.
Chicago Dave… I hope Girardi accepts immediately. Even the slightest holdup would be more unneeded bad publicity right now. I dont think Mattingly would take the job if Girardi somehow falls through. I can’t even stomach the thought of Girardi not accepting at this point.
kunal and Boston Dave:
I guess I’m not smart enough to hang with you guys. A-Rod said he loved NY, that playing anywhere else would feel weird. But the boo birds were responsible for him opting out? I suppose it was those darn boo birds that made A-Rod announce his opt out last night too.
Hey guys, fans who pay for seats that cost more than my first car have the right to boo until their eyes pop out. They can boo for whatever reason. They can boo for no reason. It’s part of the game. Then again, sometimes fans boo a guy because he s*cks, like Bonds for instance.
In A-Rod’s case, I notice a pattern. In addition to being booed in Boston where every Yankee player is booed, he’s booed extra loud and long in the other two towns he played for, Seattle and Texas. Now make that three towns. If he stays in the AL, Yankee fans will stop the game they will boo so loud and long. And don’t forget the chatter from the third base seats. He’ll need a third and fourth therapist to get over what he’s going to hear if he ever sets foot in the Stadium again.
But I admit that being booed in Boston and his three former towns are a small sample, so I’m willing to wait until next year. I’m pretty confident that wherever he lands, every fan in every town will boo this crass, selfish, narcissistic jerk.
Notice how in the Yahoo article, Hank Steinbrenner says they won’t negotiate with A Rod only if it becomes official. I have not seen word yet of it being official, has anyone else?
* “The (Girardi) family is extremely happy for Joe. We’re sincerely happy that they both got what they wanted. The Yankees got a young manager and Joe got the position he always truly wanted,” said Dr. John Girardi, older brother of Joe and the president and CEO of Poplar Creek Surgical Center in Hoffman Estates, Illinois.
From the daily news!! This is so funny, I used to live near Hoffman Estates!!
Also from the news
* Girardi relayed a comprehensive plan on how he would manage the team during his interview, scoring him major points. Unlike Mattingly, who also came armed with ideas on how to run a club
Looks to me like Donnie went in thinking the job would be handed to him on a silver platter.
I’m so excited about our new manager, the kids we had on the team this season and the future, I was ready for the post Arod era 5 minutes after I heard the news last evening. I think we are in good hands, Joe Girardi and his team are going to be fun to watch.
I am disturbed by this
* A source close to the negotiations said that as of 5:30 p.m. no deal had been reached and in fact that Girardi’s people were still talking to the Dodgers about their manager’s job.
I haven’t read this anywhere. I did hear that the Dodgers kept calling Joes people, but that was it.
Where did you get that info Jennifer?
Sorry forgot the link
http://www.nypost.com/seven/10.....d_toda.htm
UGh the link didn’t post, It is from the new york post.
Buddy it is official paperwork was filed with MLB offices
Thanks, I see what you mean.
Here is what the lying piece of crap had to say about his timing:
“I apologize to the Boston Red Sox and Colorado Rockies and their players, Major League Baseball and its players, and baseball fans everywhere for that interference,” he said in a statement. “The teams and players involved deserved to be the focus of the evening and honored with the utmost respect. The unfortunate result was not my intent, but is solely my fault. I could have handled this situation better, and for that I am truly sorry.”
It has to be over coaches.
” how have the yankees mishandled the Posada situation? ”
cashman let him know that he’d be treated exactly like bernie with no extension. core players deserve special treatment. bernie, posada,and rivera are all core players. you want them to stay on with the organization after retirement. you may have to give them one year too many to do this. so what? they are core players. how many do you think there are? core players on the yankees right now are jeter, posada, rivera, and pettitte. that’s it . you give them the benefit of the doubt at the end. cashman didn’t give it to bernie. posada saw it and he’s making sure it doesn’t happen to him. look for him to ask for 4 years at 15 million a year to start. the mets will come close to giving that. that’s how cashman mishandled posada. we’re going to find out soon enough if your version or my version is right. a one million dollar contract for 2007 for bernie and a three years extension at 12 million a year was the deal cashman should have offered posada last winter. now cashman and the yankees are going to have to pay out 45 million at the minimum and probably more. or else have no quality catcher to go along with their no quality firstbaseman and their no quality third baseman. are you starting to notice a trend here?
I heard around 6PM that Joe G was on a plane from Denver heading this way so maybe that is what the holdup is. hard to do a deal when the person is 20K above ground
“Also among the 57 players who filed for free agency on the first possible day were Yankees P Mariano Rivera, C Jorge Posada and 1B Doug Mientkiewicz”
Just checking: If Andy Pettitte opts out will we be required to hate him too for not taking the Yankees $16M?
Thanks Gayle, I hadn’t heard that. So maybe it is just puting ink aon paper?
Pete I’m dying for an update!!
I would love to see Nick Johnson back here, I know I’ll be blasted for the comment, but I always felt he had so potential, the last injury a freak accident. He had the wrist/hank problems early in his career but has power, is patient at the plate with a high OBP and an outstanding glove. And, Bowa’s nephew.
The thing with Andy, though, is that Andy came up with the Yankees, won a buncha championships here, came back, and hasn’t demanded a $250 million contract!
It goes back to the whole point of being bigger than the game…
Bet Minky knows where the bodies are buried.
GOOD RIDDANCE ALEX! YOU HAVE PROVED YOU WANT MONEY MORE THAN A CHAMPIONSHIP. I AM SORRY THAT YOU EVER WORE THE PINSTRIPES.
“Nick Johnson”
He didn’t play this season because of his injury.
“a one million dollar contract for 2007 for bernie and a three years extension at 12 million a year was the deal cashman should have offered posada last winter.”
Wow, that would have been terrible…then Bernie would have been on the team this season, which would have been a bad, bad thing. He’s worthless in the field now. We already had too many DHes. Also…then they’ve had to sign Mo and Torre to extensions too…how could they sign only Posada? Aren’t those other folks “core” as well? And, given Mo’s health issues at the end of 2006, it was reasonable to want to wait. And the fact that Posada’s getting old. And, let’s not forget that the guy who was basically leading the front office (Swindal) screwed up and wound up leaving the team.
Given all of that, is it surprising that the team was in no position to start negotiating extensions in the spring? And, no one wanted to negotiate once the season started.
Stop thinking with your feelings and think with your head.
“The Yankees should be an organization of class. Its fans shouldn’t be firing insults at A-Rod. Baseball is business, and he saw the opportunity to lead a better baseball career somewhere else. We should thank him for his contributions, because in large part, were it not for his offensive numbers, the Yankees might not have made the playoffs at all this year.”
I completely disagree with this. Sure the Yankees are an organization of class, but that doesn’t mean the fans are. We can do what we want we are fans, not players. Baseball is turning into a business, though it shouldn’t be, money is what ruins everything that is good, and it is ruining this great SPORT. I’ll admit he is a great player and played great, but I will not thank him. I will not thank any professional athlete for that matter. A-Rod and every pro athlete should be thanking us for our contributions. Without our wallets they would be little more than uneducated trailer trash. I expect a thank you A-Rod you selfish piece of crap. I hope you and your boyfriend Scott enjoy your relationship!
Sterling: So Arod will now step to the plate for the first time in the Bronx since he opted out of his contract with the Yanks. Boy listen to this crowd boo. Oh my Susan. This Satdium is shaking with boo birds.
Susan: Yeah John, this crowd has been waiting a lonnnng time for this opportunity, ever since he opted out of the contract last Fall. I’m sure he didn’t expect to receive any love here today.
Sterling: Oh no question, and the boos just keep pouring down on him. You have to think a return here today in a Mets uniform does not help either.
Sterling: So here we go. No on no outs, top of the second, Yankees lead 1-0. Joba takes a long look in from Posada and we will see a little powah vs. powah. Joba nods and comes to the set. Thuhhhhhhhhhh pitch. It hit him! Oh my, Joba drilled him right in the upper BACK and Alex sure felt that heater. It’s a bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbeeeeeeeeeanball to Ayyyyyyyyyyyyyyrod, and the Yankees win theeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee Yankeeeeeeeees Win!!!!!
I know about Johnson’s injury, that was last season, he could be available.
If some team is dumb enough to pay A-Rod 30 mil per, then let them do it. He will be a cancer on any team he signs with. The Yankees will miss his production but will not miss his Drama. There will be life in this Yankees team next season. They will have more energy and be much more enjoyable to watch, even if they do not make the play-offs. Those of you who are crying wolf over this off season should look at the direction that Cashman has steered the organization in. Yes the position prospects will most likely not be with the big club next season, however it is not a stretch to say one or two may be starting in 09. A-Jax is coming on strong and there are some other talents that may arrive this coming spring like Miranda, Corona, Gardener…There is always the possibility of a sleeper like Duncan. Also, Cano and Wang are much better than any scout predicted they would be, remember that when assessing future talent. While there are no sure things, there are certainly a few surprises to be had out there.The pitching talent is at least 20 deep after Joba, Phil and Ian. While the depth may not rise to the big three level, it is still quality and if nothing else gives the Yanks a lot of trade chips.
The 20:
Alan Horne, Humberto Sanchez, Christian Garcia,
Kevin Whelan,Ross Ohlendorf,Jeff Marquez, Brett Smith, George Kontos,Jairo Heredia, Dellin Betances,Ryan Pope,
Marc Melancon, Dave Robertson, JB Cox, Ty Clippard,
Steven White, Andrew Brackman,Eric Wordekemper,Angel Reyes, Jose Veras….
This list does not even include some decent arms like: Edwar Ramirez,Jeff Karstens,Darrel Rasner,
Chase Wright, TJ Beam, Matt Desalvo….
Now I am not saying all of these kids will be major league pitchers, but they are legit prospects and have good trade value.
“Arod had admitted to being a Mets fan growing up.”
How much did his second choice have to give him to make him stop being a Mets fan?
Justice OMG that is so funny!!! I could hear them saying that too!!!
thatwas. I loved Nick and was sad to see him go. But he is still trying to recover from an awful injury that happened more than a year ago. Maybe if you get him on the cheap you take a chance.
randy l – i would much rather pay posada more now, knowing that he is still capable of hitting like he did this year then pay him a little less and not be sure how he’d hold up. catchers especially are hard to predict at this age. yes, posada should be given extra for everything he has done for the team. there is no chance he gets 4 years. he might get alot of money for 2 or 3, but no chance he gets 4 years (unless they are option years or vesting years)
Rebecca
Andy will be the highest paid pitcher on the team and only wanted a one year option. The Yankees gave him what he wanted. Said the only way he would leave is if his elbow was an issue. Didn’t seem to be an issue his last game in Cleveland. He said this summer that he will pitch for the Yanks or retire. There were rumors today that he will be following Joe Torre to LA. So if he opts out and goes to pitch in LA, he lied to the fans. Do we hate him then?
Good riddance to bad rubbish.
predictions:
pettite stays and gets another $16M option year added
posada- 3yrs 40M
rivera- 2yrs 28M
Jennifer, why do you keep making these judgements on Mattingly based on nothing. Why do you think he expected to get the job on a silver platter He didn’t.
Why so much hate for Donnie? He’s done nothing but bleed pinstripes for his whole playing career and as a coach. He’s a class act all the way and wanted to be the Yankee manager more than anything. Is that a bad thing? I don’t think he took anything for granted and didn’t think he’d be handed the job. These past few days all you do is take potshots at him and all of them based on nothing factual. It’s getting old.
Is Andy Pettitte’s situation really “opting out”? Is a player option for an additional year really opting out if he chooses not to exercise that option?
Pettitte also didn’t announced in the middle of a World Series game that he would be leaving.
I also don’t hate A-Rod. I don’t know why. I just can’t do it
. I’m a scorned lover. Part of me will always love him, I feel.
My my…what a stern statement from MLB re Boras and ARod I can’t wait to hear their position on performance enhancing drugs!
You know, I thought that prior to this season Yankee fans were running the best player in the game out of town. I felt that they were not being fair and were putting unrealistic expectations on him.
Well, I feel like a schmuck today.
Not only did everything he said turn out to be a lie, his designated lizard (Boras) tried to upstage the final game of the World Series. The ego required for that just boggles the mind. I have worked for some egotistical people in my life but this trumps anything I have ever seen. goodbye, good riddance, I hope you enjoy making all that money. Oh and also, enjoy surpassing Ernie Banks as the greatest player to never play in a World Series.
I am basing it on articles that were written during the season and interviews after.
“Wow, that would have been terrible…then Bernie would have been on the team this season”
yeah right, they had so many good righthanded hitters off the bench. what did bernie hit rh in 2006-.330 or something liike that.
ND Yank – agreed. any Mattingly bashing is completely uncalled for. I pray he stays in the organization.
pat: I would be willing to bet actual money that Andy Pettitte plays for the Yankees or no one, regardless of where Torre manages in 2008.
Michael Kay now saying that according to ‘close friend’ of A-Rod’s, his first choice remains the Yankees, but he opted out due to concerns over the direction of the franchise.
Which is, well, nonsensical.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=cVS04n3Q3mI
I said it earlier today and Hanks reaction further verified it. Boras’ WS announcement is classic Steinbrenner. It is the brash calculated move that George Steinbrenner would have made 20 years ago.
I can’t wait to see what team signs A-Rod and what their spin will be.
“Hey fans, we just signed the guy who even managed to pi$$ off Peter Gammons.”
A-Rod/Boras look like an idiots right now, any team that signs him has gotta wait for this cool off and the more it cools off the more $300 million looks like to the owner signing those checks. Boras might’ve had a deal under the table, but I wonder if it might get pulled back/reduced because of the bad press.
Harley that makes perfect sense. Screw the Yankees out of 20 some million dollars and still want to play for them. I bet he wouldn’t want to stay if he read what Yankee fans are saying about him.
Anyone know where the Yankees payroll stands right now?
Pat: Hmm, I just don’t see Andy going to LA, but I guess you never know.
Andy’s agent isn’t Boras, though, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t think that has something to do with it.
randy l – bernie did hit ok as a righty in 2006… but it was time to give melky the at bats. i wish it was handled better but there isnt much of an argument in keeping bernie on the active roster this year. i wish they could have reached some sort of amicable parting of ways but i dont think the yankees could have done much more.
f gay rod
Reggie44,
Actually, pissing off Gammons isn’t such a bad thing.
Andrea
If it’s a player option and he doesn’t exercise it; it is opting out.
I don’t think Andy would pitch elsewhere either. It just amuses me that all things A-Rod are often accompanied by a feeding frenzy of emotion reserved only for him.
“You don’t have to be a weatherman to know which way the wind blows”
it is so easy to see which way the wind is blowing with the yankees. the problem is at the top. pick on everyone , one by one, as they leave. torre sucks, guidry sucks, arod sucks, bernie sucks, mattingly sucks, posada, if he leaves, sucks. rivera too if he goes.
there’s a simpler answer to who sucks.
it’s at the very top. it’s not the players and coaches who have left that left it all on the field. no one worked harder than arod. think about it. that’s a prima donna? arod is not the bad guy here. he’s the guy who had one of the most incredible offensive years ever. the dislike is misdirected.
pat: I wasn’t saying Pettitte wasn’t opting out to differentiate him from A-Rod, I was genuinely curious. I didn’t know the terminology. Just to be clear
If Pettitte went to another team (other than a Texas team, with him I always forgive him for going over there to be close to his family), I think everyone would be genuinely shocked, so I know it would not be the same reaction. With A-Rod, everyone was duped. more than anything, the fans feel stupid, and no one likes that. A-Rod spent all season telling everyone that he felt at home and that he loved NY and he wanted to stay here, and then the first chance he got, even *before* the world series was over, he bailed.
Chris Russo had a good point today, and that was that Boras has a tendency of brianwashing his clients. While I think “brainwash” is a little harsh, I don’t think it’s completely inaccurate. A-Rod is kind of the beautiful idiot that does what anyone tells him, and I get the feeling that this is going to backfire on him. He may get a huge contract, but I don’t feel like he’s going to get more, or much more, than the Yankees would have given him, and he’s not going to go anywhere, especially not now, that’s going to treat him any better that the people in NY who have FINALLY warmed up to him are now treating him.
How do I turn “RODRIGUEZ” into “LEYRITZ”? I’ve got some lettering to alter
randy l. – cant argue with that. i would prefer that Cashman be the lone spokesman for the team.
RED SOX DYNASTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I wonder how A-Rod will explain to Mike Loweel, his training partner. They and Minky train together over the winter at the University of Miami Mark Light Field.
” Duh, Mickie i felt the need to express my feelings. I had to upstage you because 1. You were the MVP for the WS. and 2 I have never been in a WS. Anyway believe me: I LOVE NY”
I meant how A-R0d will explain his behaviour to Mik Lowell.
Wow. Chicago Dave and Rebecca rocking the ‘Mats. My other favorite nuggets about this greta band:
- Nirvana’s “Nevermind” was, indeed named after the great Replacements song by the same name (even though the album dre much more musical inspiration from Pixies).
- Namesake Alex Chilton, frontman for Big Star and namesake of the great cut off “Pleased to Meet Me” finally got his due this year as “September Gurls” was featured on the Friday Night Lights soundtrack
THE YANKEES LOSE, THE YANKEEEEEES LOSE!
I read in a sports article before “Payrod” came to the Yankees,that the Yankees would never win a WS with him on the team. The article said he is bad news on any team he goes to .The teams do better when he leaves.I’m trying to research the article it was 4yrs ago,but it was right on point so it seems..
Did we really need a player that needs this much ego stroking,please?
Glad to see y’all are happy to be rid of Him. You’re better off without him. Girardi will be excellent and I bet you’ll win 95+ next year. Our rivalry is better off without him, too–he’s a monumental distraction and I’m glad he’ll be out of our division.
Post-Arod, we can settle back into an equilibrium in which both of us have excellent teams that are well-balanced between mercenaries and home-grown talent (even if that talent comes partly from our joint ability to spend more in the draft than poorer teams). Won’t that be more fun? We won’t have to Photoshop a purse around his arm, and you won’t have to watch him grip his playoff bat so tightly that it spontaneously combusts into sawdust. Less nonsense, more focus on the game itself–which is, and always will be, MUCH bigger than A-Rod and Boras, however much self-fulfilling handwringing over his announcement we must endure.
I hope MLB is so ticked off now he’s blown his shot at the MVP. Classless duo. I’m sick of the circus he created in our lockerroom. Let’s keep right on winning. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out AFraud. I’m soooooooo certain Boras is really contrite over his Sunday night annoncement too. Could they be more transparent.